Testore 

The  Romance 
ot  an  Italian 
Fiddle- M.;-- 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

Gift  of 
Mrs.  Lawrence  C.  Lockley 


MUSIC 

1  "••" 


TESTORE 


TESTORE  TAKES  THE  CRIPPLE'S  FIDDLE 
From  a  drawmg  by  Gladys  Holman,  A.R.A. 


TESTORE 

THE  ROMANCE   OF  AN  ITALIAN 
FIDDLE-MAKER 


BY 

PAT   CANDLER 


NEW   YORK 
E.  P.  BUTTON   &    COMPANY 

MCMXVI 


Music 
Library 

ML 


TO   MY    FRIEND 
(JERTRUDE  WADE  OF  WESTON-SUPER-MARE 

Who  holds  and  cherishes  the  fiddle,  1707,  so  beloved 
by  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore  of  Milano,  and  which 
played  so  great  a  part  in  his  life.  Through  a  vision 
of  this  said  fiddle  I  was  led  to  secure  it  for  my 
friend,  though  at  that  time  I  was  ignorant  of  its 
existence,  and  did  not  even  know  that  such  a 
fiddle-maker  had  lived. 


1S216SO 


FOREWORD 

To  THE  READER. 

During  the  summer  of  1909,  eight 
months  after  I  had  been  led  through  a  vision 
to  procure  the  fiddle,  1707,  mentioned  in  this 
story,  and  which  was  so  named  because  it  was 
completed  in  that  year,  for  Gertrude  Wade  of 
Weston-super-Mare,  there  was  vouchsafed  to 
me  dreams  of  its  maker  which  were  so  vivid, 
partaking  so  little  of  the  evanescent  nature  of 
dreams,  that  I  was  compelled  to  answer  the  call 
by  weaving  them  into  a  life-story  of  Carlo 
Giuseppe  Testore,  fiddle-maker  of  Milano. 
These  dreams,  or  visions,  came  at  various  hours, 
mostly  after  a  heavy  day's  work,  though  during 
seven  weeks'  stay  in  The  Hague,  August  to 
September,  1909,  when  I  was  free  to  wander 
alone,  and  at  will,  long  hours,  they,  with  other 
dreams  of  bygone  centuries  and  people,  became 
more  frequent  and  still  more  vivid.  Several 

friends,    musical    and    otherwise,    listened    so 

vii 


viii  FOREWORD 

keenly  to  the  narration  of  them  that  I  was 
encouraged  to  hope  that  perhaps  strangers, 
particularly  lovers  of  music,  and  all  art  in  its 
purest  and  highest  form,  would  likewise  enjoy 
this  biographical  story,  the  outcome  of  these 

dreams. 

PAT  CANDLER 


TESTORE 

PART   I 
CHAPTER  I 

MY  home  was  in  Italy,  and  I  loved  it  well. 

I  was  a  passionate,  impulsive  boy,  nay,  man, 
for  at  eighteen  I  was  a  man,  a  babe  had  lain  in 
my  arms,  and  I  was  a  father. 

The  dates  of  the  years  of  my  life  matter 
not,  since  this  is  but  a  story  of  one  who  has 
lived,  suffered,  and  passed  on. 

Ah !  my  home.  It  was  such  a  pleasant 
place,  built  on  the  slope  of  a  long  hill  and 
surrounded  by  vineyards. 

One  room  was  my  own.  Its  window  looked 
towards  the  west,  and  when  the  sun  sank  low 
with  his  robes  of  splendour  around  him,  I 
would  drop  my  tools,  and  gaze  at  the  glories 
of  the  sunset,  my  heart  filled  with  the  vague 
yearnings  which  none  can  express  in  words. 

And  oft,  while  thus  I   stood,  the  voice  of 


2  TESTORE 

my  mother  would  be  heard,  calling,  "Carlo 
mio,  thy  supper  waits."  And,  if  my  heart 
was  black  with  anger,  because  my  work  had 
not  been  good,  I  would  not  heed  her  words. 

Soon  the  door  would  open,  and  a  little  maid 
with  dark  eyes  and  curly  hair  would  enter, 
bearing  in  one  hand  a  plate  on  which  were 
grapes,  and  in  the  other  a  goblet  of  red  wine. 

My  bitter  mood  would  soften,  for  I  loved 
la  mia  bimba^  and,  sitting  down,  I  would  take 
her  on  my  knees,  while  she,  throwing  one  arm 
around  my  neck,  would  set  to  feeding  me  with 
the  grapes,  yea,  to  the  very  last  one. 

Then  with  a  ringing  laugh  of  joy,  she  would 
run  to  the  bench  on  which  were  scattered  pieces 
of  wood,  and  lifting  the  one  which  she  thought 
had  caused  my  misery,  she  would  bring  it  to 
me  to  kiss,  for  thus  in  her  sweet  childish  way 
she  sought  to  dispel  my  morose  mood. 

This  done,  Fanciullina  would  pick  up  her 
skirt,  and  dropping  a  curtsy,  would  reward 
me  for  my  smile  by  singing  a  song. 

I  could  see  the  tiny  throat  swelling  as  her 
voice,  so  true  and  pure,  rose  and  fell.  Her 
eyes  would  shine  like  diamonds,  and  the 
heaviness  of  my  heart  would  depart.  Down 
on  my  knees  I  would  go,  and  clasping  her 
wildly  to  my  heart,  would  let  the  tears  fall 


TESTORE  3 

which  washed  away  the  gloomy  thoughts  that 
so  oft  assailed  me,  turning  my  hours  of  work 
into  deep  despair. 

When  I  again  took  up  my  tools,  the  child 
would  slip  out  of  the  room,  leaving  me  much 
the  better  for  her  visit. 

But  not  for  long  was  la  mia  bimba  spared 
to  shed  her  soothing  influence  upon  her  father, 
for  she  fell  sick,  and  she  died.  The  world 
possessed  no  joys  for  me.  I  could  not  work. 
I  could  not  play. 

Fanciullina  had  gone,  and  I  was  not  there 
at  her  passing,  for  the  Duca  Visconti  had  sent 
for  me.  He  kept  me  at  his  court  for  one, 
two,  three  days,  and  with  smiles  I  answered 
his  many  questions.  He  praised  me  much, 
presenting  me  with  a  costly  ring,  yet  all  the 
while  my  heart  was  breaking  ;  but  who  at  that 
grand  court  would  have  understood  my  grief  ? 

My  child  had  not  known  me  when  I  kissed 
her  "  Addio,"  for  she  lay  moaning  with  pain 
on  her  little  couch,  and  I,  who  loved  her  so 
dearly,  had  to  go,  since  in  those  days  to  set  at 
naught  the  commands  of  the  Grand  Duke 
meant  persecution. 

The  fourth  morning  saw  me  riding  as  one 
possessed.  Ah,  the  good  God,  whom  then  I 
despised,  must  have  sent  His  Angels  to  keep 


4  TESTORE 

me  safe,  for  the  roads  were  rough,  and  robbers 
numerous. 

It  was  a  long  journey,  often  taking  three 
days,  but  I  accomplished  it  in  two,  and  the 
time  seemed  an  Eternity. 

At  last  the  little  home  was  before  me. 

Up  the  hill  1  hurried  the  beast,  for  what 
cared  I  for  his  weariness  ?  Yet,  when  I  drew 
rein  before  the  partly  closed  door,  I  feared 
to  call  aloud,  but,  leaping  to  the  ground,  I 
entered.  Neither  voice,  nor  sound,  greeted 
me.  Rigid  I  stood,  afraid  to  break  the  silence, 
dreading  I  knew  not  what.  And  the  dread 
deepened  when  I  became  aware  of  a  low  mur- 
muring in  my  room  of  fiddles.  Towards  it 
I  staggered,  feeling  as  though  heavy  hands 
pressed  upon  my  shoulders,  yet,  ere  they  had 
fallen  there,  had  they  pierced  me  to  the  heart, 
and,  as  a  man  drunken  with  fermented  wine,  I 
stumbled  in. 

There,  on  the  bench  where  so  oft  Fanciullina 
had  sought  for  a  portion  of  my  work  that  I 
might  kiss  it  and  make  friends,  stood  a  coffin. 

No  words  could  express  my  anguish. 

Devils  tugged  at  my  heart.  Fain  would  I 
have  spoken,  if  only  to  rave,  but  speech  was 
denied  me. 

Afterwards  they  told  me  that  I  had  remained 


TESTORE  5 

motionless,    with    glassy    eyes,    and    heaving 
chest. 

None  dare  speak,  but  my  mother  came 
towards  me,  and  laid  her  hand  on  mine  ;  I 
flung  it  off,  and,  with  a  bitter  cry,  fell  senseless. 

For  many  days  I  lay  stricken  by  fever. 
Then,  one  evening,  at  my  favourite  hour  of 
sunset,  I  opened  my  eyes  to  consciousness,  and 
saw  my  mother  bending  over  me.  She  held 
to  my  lips  some  drink  which  I  took,  and 
straightway  fell  into  a  deep  sleep. 

When  again  I  awoke,  I  asked  no  questions, 
but  I  let  the  days  glide  into  weeks  before  I 
showed  the  slightest  interest  in  anything,  oft 
speaking  not  for  hours  at  a  stretch.  I  took 
the  nourishment  prepared  for  me  by  my 
mother,  but  I  uttered  no  words  of  gratitude  to 
her  for  her  loving  care,  for  my  heart  was  so 
torn  with  grief  that  my  tongue  refused  to 
speak.  She  even  brought  to  my  bedside  some 
of  my  handicraft,  thinking  thus  to  arouse  me 
from  my  melancholy  mood  ;  but,  shutting  my 
eyes,  I  would  not  glance  at  it. 

As  I  lay  thus  one  afternoon,  when  the  heat 
of  the  day  was  passing  into  the  cool  evening 
hours,  my  mother  came  to  me. 

"  Carlo,"  said  she,  "  thy  child  left  a  message 
for  thee.  Wouldst  thou  not  hear  it  ?  " 


6  TESTORE 

Gently  my  mother  spoke,  yet  her  voice 
grated  on  my  ear  like  a  badly  tuned  string. 

"  Fanciullina  would  be  glad,  for  she  bade 
me  tell  thee  as  soon  as  ye  returned." 

Naught  answered  I,  yet  my  eyes  must  have 
shown  my  desire  to  hear  la  mia  bimbas  words, 
for  my  mother  continued,  though  I  turned  my 
head  from  her  lest  she  might  read  upon  my 
face  the  agony  of  my  heart. 

"  She  awoke  from  her  fever  on  the  fifth  day 
of  her  illness,  and  asked  straightway  for  thee. 
We  dare  not  lie  to  her,  but  told  her  that 
the  Duca  Visconti  had  sent  for  thee,  and  that 
thou  hadst  to  go.  So  well  she  understood 
that  thou  durst  not  disobey  his  summons,  that 
instead  of  fretting,  she  said  sweetly,  *  I  will 
wait,  for  Babbo  shall  see  me  again.' 

"Towards  evening,  we  saw  that  she  was 
sinking.  All  night  we  sat  by  her,  but  as  day 
broke,  she,  reviving  a  little,  begged  us  to 
carry  her  to  thy  room  of  fiddles. 

" '  I  want  Babbo  to  find  me  there,'  she 
pleaded. 

'  We  did  as  she  wished,  and  when  we  had 
placed  her  comfortably,  she  fell  asleep. 

"  When  she  awoke,  she  asked  for  thy  tools, 
and  the  wood  at  which  thou  hadst  wrought 
ere  she  fell  sick.  Her  little  hands  could 


TESTORE  7 

scarce  hold  them  and  soon  she  lay  back 
exhausted. 

"Again  she  slumbered,  but  barely  an  hour, 
and  then  we  saw  that  Death  had  kissed  her, 
and  that  our  little  one  must  leave  us.  So 
weak  was  her  voice  when  she  tried  to  speak 
to  me  that  I  did  but  catch  her  feeble  whisper, 
'  Babbo  shall  see  his  Fanciullina  again.' ' 

My  mother  paused,  but  I  turned  not  my 
head.  Neither  spoke  I  a  word. 

"  Babbo  shall  see  Fanciullina  again." 

Cruelly  the  words  mocked  me. 

Yet,  though  I  felt  the  utter  hopelessness  of 
the  message,  into  my  heart  there  dropped  a 
a  seed  of  belief. 

Perhaps,  perhaps,  and  scoffer,  unbeliever 
that  I  was,  and  always  had  been,  this  seedlet 
struck  soil  and  grew. 

To  everyone's  surprise,  I  mended  rapidly 
from  that  hour,  and  as  soon  as  I  was  able,  I  got 
up  and  insisted  on  moving  to  Milano.  There 
I  tried  to  labour  at  my  handicraft  as  in  the 
old  days  when  my  child  lived,  but  work  I 
could  not.  The  house  so  oppressed  me  that 
I  spent  long  hours  in  the  open,  alone  and 
miserable. 

The  ray  of  hope  that  Fanciullina's  message 
had  awakened  in  me,  died  for  the  time,  for,  tired 


8  TESTORE 

of  the  awful  loneliness,  I  sought  companions, 
and  for  a  while  became  their  boon  comrade  in 
many  a  dissipated  scene.  Not  that  this  was 
new  to  me,  for  I  had  been  wild  enough,  God 
knows,  in  my  early  youth,  until  the  child  had 
influenced  me  for  the  better.  1  had  loved  my 
wife  in  a  passionate,  selfish  manner,  but  had 
already  begun  to  weary  of  her,  and  might 
have  left  her  for  another,  .had  not  Death 
taken  her  when  la  mia  bimba  was  but  a  week 
old. 

Even  at  that  tender  age,  the  little  one 
had  fascinated  me.  She  was  so  pretty,  nay, 
beautiful,  her  head  covered  with  the  tiniest 
of  black  curls,  her  eyes  fringed  with  long 
lashes. 

Bewildered  and  paralysed,  I  gazed  at  her  as 
she  lay  sleeping,  the  living  beside  the  dead, 
for  my  wife  had  just  breathed  her  last,  ere  I 
realised  that  Death  was  so  near. 

The  babe  opened  its  eyes,  and  uttered  a 
piteous  wail.  Stooping,  I  lifted  it  into  my 
arms,  and  from  that  hour  we  were  friends. 
I  loved  to  have  her  near  me,  and  as  often  as 
not,  she  slept  by  my  bench  whilst  I  wrought 
at  my  craft. 

Ah,  never  had  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore  a 
cleaner  record  of  his  deeds  and  thoughts  than 


TESTORE  9 

during  those  five  years  in  which  his  child  was 
his  constant  companion. 

Now,  without  her  restraining  influence, 
dark,  indeed,  was  my  future.  The  scenes  of 
beauty  which  were  around  me,  the  glory  of 
the  setting  sun,  gave  me  no  pleasure. 

And  ever  two  pictures  haunted  me. 

I  lived  again  and  again  those  hours  when, 
perforce,  I  waited  on  the  Duca  Visconti  while 
my  child  lay  at  the  point  of  death  ;  I  recalled 
his  suave  words,  and  the  flattering  speeches 
of  the  courtiers,  who  cared  not  whether  I 
lived  or  died. 

For  the  while  I  had  been  the  new  craze, 
and  that  because  the  Duca  was  a  patron  of 
art,  and  he  deemed  himself  to  be  a  judge  of 
my  handicraft. 

Many  were  the  fiddle-makers  of  that  time 
whose  sole  ambition  was  to  stand  before  him, 
and  to  me  the  honour  had  fallen. 

Honour  !  Bah  !  I  cared  not  for  it  since  the 
cost  had  been  so  dear,  and  I  would  laugh 
aloud  in  sheer  hardness  of  heart. 

That  picture  with  its  taunting  memories 
would  fade,  and  my  room  of  fiddles  in  the 
old  home  without  the  city  would  appear  before 
my  eyes,  and  ever  on  the  bench  rested  that 
coffin  with  the  still  form  within  it,  and  again 


io  TESTORE 

Fanciullina's  last  words,  "  Babbo  shall  see  me 
again,"  would  beat  upon  my  weary  brain  till, 
when  I  could  bear  it  no  longer,  I  would  seek 
to  deaden  my  grief  by  any  revelling  that 
crossed  my  path. 


CHAPTER   II 

IT  was  a  sultry  day  in  July.  For  hours 
I  had  lain  under  a  tree  in  a  lonely  spot  with 
these  memories  strong  upon  me  when  a  sound 
of  running  footsteps  disturbed  my  thoughts. 
Startled  and  surprised,  I  sat  up,  for  the  road,  if 
road  it  might  be  called,  was  but  little  frequented, 
and  the  way  to  the  city  lay  to  the  left. 

Within  a  few  yards  of  the  tree  which  had 
sheltered  me  during  the  noontide  heat,  there 
was  a  sharp  bend  so  that  I  could  not  see  who 
thus  hurriedly  approached,  but  in  a  moment 
there  appeared  a  woman,  no  mean  peasant  of 
the  soil,  but  a  lady  of  birth  and  rank. 

She  stretched  out  her  hands  to  me.  "  Save 
me,  oh  save  me  !  "  she  panted. 

Springing  to  my  feet,  I  drew  my  sword  from 
its  sheath,  prepared  to  defend  the  distressed 
Signorina,  who  now  seized  my  arm  whilst  she 
repeated  in  trembling  tones  :  "  Oh,  save  me 
from  him,  for  he  is^a  monster,  a  devil,  and  I 
dare  not  stay  with  him." 

I  freed  myself  of  her  hold  for  a  tall  man 


ii 


12  TESTORE 

was  rapidly  clearing  the  space  'twixt  him  and 
us,  and,  as  the  stranger  sank  terrified  and 
exhausted  to  the  ground,  I  placed  myself 
before  her. 

Her  pursuer  halted,  then  burst  into  an 
innocent  laugh. 

"Dost  think,"  he  mocked,  "that  I  cross 
swords  with  a  maker  of  wooden  toys  which 
are  fit  only  for  those  who  live  close  to  silk 
petticoats  ?  " 

And  again  he  gave  way  to  his  mirth. 

In  a  flash  I  knew  him  for  Conte  Alfonso, 
half  Spanish,  half  French,  a  man  who  had 
won  a  name  for  his  famous  sword-play. 

He  was  by  no  means  a  favourite  of  the 
Duca  Visconti,  yet,  since  he  was  a  useful 
go-between  'twixt  certain  courts  and  courtiers, 
he  lived,  and  grew  fat. 

Strong  and  handsome,  he  won  the  hearts  of 
many  by  his  very  audacity.  This,  with  a 
certain  fascination  of  manner,  had  enabled  him 
to  win  through  many  an  intrigue  where 
another  had  been  condemned  to  death. 

I  had  seen  him  during  those  awful  days 
when  I  had  awaited  on  the  Grand  Duke. 
Now  when  we  stood  face  to  face  as  foes,  I 
answered  naught  to  his  insolent  words,  but 
remained  on  guard. 


TESTORE  13 

Perhaps  my  cool  contempt  attracted  his 
attention,  for  his  laughter  died  away,  and 
he  stared  me  in  the  eyes.  What  he  read 
therein,  1  cannot  tell,  but  my  sins  were  white 
compared  with  his,  for  his  countenance 
told  me  much  as  thus  we  gazed  on  one 
another. 

So  still  were  we  that  I  heard  the  rustle  of 
a  leaf  as  it  dropped  to  the  ground,  and  the 
quick  breathing  of  the  stranger  as  she  crouched 
on  the  ground  beside  me. 

Then  the  silence  of  that  fair  place  was 
broken  by  the  clash  of  steel,  for  the  Conte 
Alfonso  made  a  sudden  onrush,  and  we 
fought  till  the  sweat  rolled  heavily  down  our 
faces. 

At  last,  he  drew  blood  from  my  left  shoulder, 
and  the  sight  of  it  did  but  whet  his  appetite 
for  more.  Howbeit  it  was  only  a  slight 
wound. 

Hard  pressed  was  I  till  my  adversary, 
making  too  sure  of  victory,  became  careless. 
Thus  the  chance  was  mine,  for,  failing  in  his 
intent  to  parry  a  thrust,  I  pierced  him  to 
the  heart. 

Once  more  there  was  silence. 

Again  a  leaf  dropped,  this  time  on  the  face 
of  the  dead.  Brushing  it  off,  I  turned  to  the 


i4  TESTORE 

woman  who  had  risen  from  the  ground.  She 
gazed  for  a  while  on  the  still  form,  and  then 
began  to  weep.  And  her  tears  awoke  me  to 
the  fact  that  I  had  slain  a  man. 

Somewhat  angrily  I  said  :  "  You  asked  me 
to  save  you  from  him,  and  I  have  but  obeyed 
your  command." 

Yet  she  only  sobbed  on  in  a  piteous  heart- 
broken way. 

"  Signorina  is  like  all  les  gran  dame.  They 
love  that  which  is  beyond  their  reach.  Conte 
Alfonso  is  dead,  therefore  he  will  trouble  you 
no  more.  When  alive  you  hated  and  feared 
him,  now  that  he  is  gone,  you  mourn  for 
him.  Bah !  les  gran  dame  are  difficult  to 
please." 

She  sought  to  check  her  tears. 

"  You  know  his  name.  He "  this 

word  was  said  with  much  effort,  "he  was  no 
friend  of  mine,  and  if  you  are  of  his  kind, 
Heaven  help  me." 

"  I  am  not  of  his  kind." 

The  scorn  and  contempt  with  which  I  uttered 
these  words  seemed  as  though  they  lifted  a 
burden  from  her  mind. 

She  turned  to  me,  and  laying  her  hand  on 
my  arm,  said  fervently,  « Madre  di  Dio,  I 
thank  thee  !  " 


TESTORE  15 

Then  doubt  and  perplexity  clouded  her 
face. 

She  glanced  at  me  with  a  look  that  spoke  of 
recognition,  yet  held  the  fear  that  I  was  not 
the  one  for  whom  she  took  me. 

"  Who  are  you  ? "  she  asked  slowly. 

"  A  maker,  as  he  said,  of  wooden  toys." 

I  spoke  bitterly,  for  my  pride  had  been 
sorely  wounded  ;  but,  at  these  words,  she  only 
tightened  her  grasp  on  my  arm,  saying — 

"  You  are  not  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore, 
who  played  before  the  Duca  Visconti  ?  I 
thought " 

She  stayed  her  words,  but  I  awaited. 

"  Continue,  Signorina,"  I  said  at  length. 

"  You    are   like    unto    him,    and   yet- 


again  doubt  clouded  her  face,  "  you  say  you 
are  Testore." 

I  bowed,  and  perchance,  something  of  my 
old  self  showed  in  my  countenance,  for  hers 
changed  to  a  look  of  belief. 

"  Oh  !  "  cried  she,  "  what  will  you  do  ? " 

"  Nay,  rather,"  I  answered,  "  what  will  you 
do  ?  "  ' 

In  reply  she  pointed  in  the  direction  from 
whence  she  had  come. 

"  The  horses  are  there,"  said  she,  "  and  not 
many  miles  distant  there  is  a  convent  which 


!6  TESTORE 

will    shelter   me.     I    know    the   Abbess    well. 
And  you  must  leave  me." 

Pausing,  she  looked  on  the  still  form  lying 
at  our  feet. 

"  He  is  dead — thus  our  secret  is  safe — 
and  I  shall  be  seen  no  more  at  the  Duca 
Visconti's  court.  No  one  will  ever  suspect 
you." 

"  You  cannot  ride  alone.  The  convent  is 
farther  than  you  think.  Moreover,  the  day 
draws  to  its  close." 

"  1  must !  1  must !  "  She  gazed  now  on  my 
sword,  and  shuddered.  Then  turned  she  her 
head. 

Presently  I  spoke — 

"  See,"  and  1  held  out  the  weapon,  spotless 
before  her  eyes;  "let  us  go." 

This  time  it  was  she  who  assented  silently ; 
and,  without  another  word,  we  set  our  faces 
towards  the  spot  where  the  horses  stood 
awaiting  their  riders.  Yet,  when  I  had  gone 
a  few  steps,  I  looked  backwards,  and  saluted 
my  enemy,  for  he  had  fought  well,  and  my 
hatred  of  him  had  passed. 

I  know  not  if  Signorina  noticed  my  action, 
for  she  did  not  speak  of  it ;  but  when  we 
reached  the  horses  she  held  out  her  hand. 

"Addio!" 


TESTORE  17 

"  Nay,"  said  I,  "  not  yet  need  we  say  fare- 
well, for  I  ride  with  you  to  the  convent 
gate." 

So  we  mounted,  she  her  horse,  and  I  his, 
and  rode  away  from  that  place. 


CHAPTER   III 

THE  road  was  deserted,  and  it  was  as  well 
that  it  was  so.  Presently  my  companion  reined 
in  her  horse  closer  to  mine. 

« I  thank  thee  !  " 

Turning  in  my  saddle,  I  looked  at  her ; 
perhaps  my  eyes  told  of  my  rapidly  awakening 
interest  in  her,  for  hers  fell  from  before  my 
glance. 

The  daylight  faded  ;  night  would  soon  be 
upon  us,  and  still  we  were  silent  save  for  a 
few  remarks  concerning  the  way. 

The  nature  of  her  thoughts  I  cannot  know, 
but  I,  after  her  few  words  of  gratitude,  forgot 
the  dead,  for  now  my  mind  dwelt  only  on  the 
beautiful  stranger  who  rode  at  my  side  with 
her  eyes  fixed  steadily  before  her. 

At  whiles  she  patted  her  horse,  speaking 
endearing  words  to  him,  at  which  the  beast, 
twitching  his  ears,  would  whinny  in  reply. 

More   than   once    she   half    turned    in    her 
saddle,  as  if  wishful  to  talk,  but  repented  ere 
the  words  left  her  lips. 
18 


TESTORE  19 

Truly  we  were  a  strange  pair. 

And  now,  an  amazing  thought  assailed  me. 
Why  not  prevail  upon  her  to  join  her  fortune 
with  mine  ? 

Before  the  convent  walls  were  reached  I  had 
planned  a  reckless  deed.  She  should  come 
with  me.  The  world  was  large,  and  I  was  not 
penniless,  for  my  father  had  left  me  several 
vineyards,  so  that  1  was  not  entirely  dependent 
upon  my  craft. 

True,  one  of  the  largest  of  them  had  been 
sold  in  order  to  pay  for  some  of  my  extravagant 
debts. 

Bah  !  my  thoughts  took  another  turn. 

This  Signorina  was  possibly  a  Contessa,  and 
thus  would  spurn  my  simple  name.  Besides— 

It  may  be  that,  angered  at  these  thoughts 
which  possessed  me,  I  vented  some  of  my 
temper  upon  my  steed,  for  he  reared  and 
plunged  so  wildly,  that  it  was  some  time  before 
I  could  soothe  him. 

Signorina  had  ridden  forwards,  seemingly 
indifferent  to  me  and  my  doings,  but  when 
again  we  rode  side  by  side  she  spake. 

"  So  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore  is  a  good 
horseman  as  well  as  a  swordsman.  Of  what 
other  accomplishment  does  he  boast  ? " 

"  Have  I  boasted  of  these  ? " 


20  TESTORE 

She  reddened. 

"Forgive  me.  I  spoke  heedlessly,  yet  my 
lips  belied  my  heart,  for  I  know  you  for  a 
brave  man." 

"You  know  me  for  a  brave  man,"  repeated 
I.  "  How  won  you  that  knowledge  ?  " 

Her  eyes  fell  as  she  said,  "The  hour  is 
late,  and  I  fear  that  the  convent  gate  will  be 
locked." 

"  It  is  an  easy  enough  matter  to  arouse  the 
portress,"  I  answered,  "  but  ride  on  our  way 
we  shall  not  till  you  reply." 

Fearlessly,  but  yet  appealing,  she  looked 
on  me. 

"  I  am  so  weary." 

But  I  only  tightened  my  hold  on  her  rein, 
and  repeated  my  question. 

"  So  Testore  is  a  tyrant  as  well  as  a  courageous 
man.  Yet  it  was  not  for  naught  that  I  watched 
him  during  his  enforced  stay  at  court."  Her 
voice  changed  from  its  tone  of  raillery  into  that 
which  bespoke  of  pity,  and  sympathy.  "  I  do 
not  think  ;  I  know."  She  laughed  softly,  then 
continued :  "  Ever  since  I  left  the  days  of 
childhood  behind  me  I  have  sought  to  read  the 
thoughts  of  those  I  meet,  and,  when  you  came 
to  play  before  the  Duca  Visconti,  I  could  read 
upon  your  face  that  some  grim  trouble  pulled 


TESTORE  21 

at  your  heartstrings.  There  was  a  hidden 
ache  in  every  word  you  uttered,  each  smile  was 
followed  by  a  twinge  of  pain." 

My  hand  fell  from  her  bridle  while  my  face 
paled. 

"  Forgive  me.  I  meant  not  to  probe  un- 
healed  wounds." 

Bitterly  I  laughed. 

"  Was  she  very  beautiful,  this  lady  for  whom 
you  mourn  ?  " 

I  would  that  I  had  told  her  then,  but  ever  I 
trusted  not  those  who,  dressed  in  fine  raiment, 
bedecked  with  jewels,  lived  at  the  many  gay 
courts  of  Italy. 

So  I  held  my  tongue,  but  I  urged  my  beast 
on  so  furiously  that  she  had  difficulty  in  keeping 
up  with  me,  and  thus,  without  another  word, 
we  reached  the  convent. 

She  held  out  her  hand  in  farewell.  Silently 
I  took  it  in  mine,  then  drew  back  behind  a  tree 
to  watch  her  entry. 

Quickly  one  opened  in  answer  to  her  knock, 
but  as  she  passed  through  the  gateway,  she 
gave  a  swift  glance  backwards  ere  the  heavy 
gate  was  swung  to,  and  barred. 


CHAPTER   IV 

FOR  a  while  I  remained  lost  in  thought, 
then  I  turned  my  horse's  head  and  went  back 
along  the  track  which  we  two  had  ridden. 

Presently  I  left  it,  and,  still  plunged  in 
meditation,  *  I  rode  across  a  wide  space  of 
rough  stubble  land  which  led  me  to  a  great 
wood. 

Here  I  dismounted,  leaving  the  horse  free  to 
wander  homeward  if  he  would,  for  I  had  no 
further  need  of  him,  also  I  might  chance  on 
one  who  knew  the  beast ;  thus  would  I  place 
my  life  in  jeopardy,  for  who  would  believe  me 
if  I  said  that  the  Conte  Alfonso  had  met  his 
death  in  fair  fight  ? 

Plunging  into  the  depths  of  the  wood,  distant 
voices  fell  upon  my  ears.  Cautiously  I  stole 
in  the  direction  of  these  sounds,  and  came  upon 
a  band  of  gypsies,  who,  encamped  for  the  night, 
were  enjoying  their  evening  meal.  And  I 
knew  them  for  my  friends. 

Once  I  had  done  them  a  service,  and  they, 
in  return,  had  taught  me  many  of  their  secrets. 


22 


TESTORE  23 

More  than  once  I  had  wandered  abroad  with 
them  when  unable  to  work. 

Unseen,  I  watched  them  for  a  while,  cheered 
by  their  lively  chatter  and  merry  laugh,  until 
the  sight  of  the  rapidly  emptying  dishes  brought 
home  to  me  the  fact  that  I,  too,  was  hungry. 

The  past  became  a  dream,  and  1  was  again 
Testore  the  fiddle-maker,  Testore  the  wild,  if 
you  will  ;  but  not  Testore,  the  killer  of  men, 
the  would-be  wooer  of  beautiful  ladies. 

Since  it  were  as  well  that  I  should  avoid  my 
old  haunts  for  a  few  days,  I  determined  to 
sojourn  with  these  gypsies,  for  were  my 
absence  remarked  upon  it  would  cause  but 
little  surprise,  so  frequent  were  my  wanderings. 

But,  meanwhile,  the  food  was  disappearing, 
so  I  gave  a  gypsy  call  of  brotherhood,  which 
caused  an  immediate  silence  to  fall  upon  the 
group. 

The  hand  in  the  act  of  conveying  a  portion 
to  the  mouth  stopped  midway  in  its  journey, 
and  every  eye  was  turned  towards  the  place 
from  whence  had  come  the  cry.  Repeating  it, 
I  walked  towards  them. 

"  Ecco,  Testore  !     Ewiva,  Testore  !  " 

My  hands  were  seized,  and  I  was  almost 
torn  to  pieces,  so  boisterous,  so  hearty,  were 
the  greetings  of  my  friends. 


24  TESTORE 

It  was  useless  to  attempt  to  speak  until  they 
had  exhausted  their  exclamations  of  delight, 
therefore  I  pointed  to  the  partly  emptied 
platters,  and  soon  I  was  seated  before  a  well- 
heaped  plate  of  maccaroni  of  which  I  partook 
hungrily  ;  and  when  my  thirst  was  quenched  I 
was  ready  to  reply  to  their  many  questions,  and 
to  make  known  to  them  that  I  fain  would  be 
their  guest  for  a  time. 

The  meal  over,  a  fiddle  was  produced  and 
put  into  my  hands. 

Ah,  the  gypsies  had  chosen  a  beautiful  spot 
wherein  to  encamp  for  the  night,  for  the  open 
sward,  enclosed  by  trees  and  shrubs,  was,  indeed, 
a  place  of  wondrous  beauty. 

The  men  in  divers  lazy  attitudes  grouped 
themselves  around  me,  and  there  in  the  fast 
gathering  shadows  of  evening  I  played  to  them 
a  solemn  melody  which,  presently,  changed  to 
an  Allegro  full  of  life  and  gaiety. 

The  Allegro  passed  into  a  Presto,  and,  fast 
and  joyously,  the  notes  rippled  over  each  other. 
Life  was  one  long  dance,  and  in  answer  to  the 
call  of  the  music,  the  sward  became  alive  with 
the  forms  of  brown-eyed,  dark-haired  maidens, 
whose  nimble  feet  kept  time  to  the  rhythm  of 
the  Gypsy  Dance. 

The  moonlight,  peeping  between  the  sway- 


TESTORE  25 

ing  branches  of  those  great  trees  whose  leaves 
rustled  an  accompaniment,  shone  athwart  the 
bosoms  of  the  maids  which  rose  and  fell,  whilst 
their  necklaces  jingled  with  the  movement. 

My  friends  sat  up,  their  faces  aglow  with 
excitement,  their  eyes  on  the  dancers. 

The  Presto  ended  in  a  great  chord,  and  the 
maidens,  wearied,  sank  down  on  to  the  grass. 

A  silence  fell  upon  us  all. 

Then  I  remembered  Fanciullina,  and,  me- 
thought,  the  soul  of  him  whom  I  had  slain 
hovered  around  me. 

Again  I  lifted  the  fiddle  and  played. 

And  now  the  music  was  of  my  own  heart,  a 
wild  lament  of  pain  and  woe.  The  men  were 
speechless,  but  the  women  sobbed. 

So  keenly  did  my  message  touch  them  that 
it  was  as  though  the  bitter  sorrow  of  mankind 
with  the  fear  of  death  held  them  fast.  But, 
presently,  that  cry  of  anguish  ceased.  I  scarcely 
paused  ere  the  notes  that  followed  spoke  to 
them  of  peace  and  joy  attained.  Tears  were 
dried,  the  eyes  of  all  shone  with  hope,  and 
then,  as  though  an  angel  prompted  me,  1  played 
a  hymn  of  exaltation  over  a  battle  fought  and 
won.  And  the  echoes  of  that  glorious  psalm 
of  praise  resounded  around  us. 

When  the  last  note  thereof  had  died  away 


26  TESTORE 

I  laid  down  the  fiddle,  and  sought  my  couch  of 
moss  and  leaves  which  had  been  piled  high  for 
me  by  certain  of  my  friends. 

One  by  one,  these,  too,  laid  themselves  down 
to  sleep,  and  I  was  alone  with  the  moon  and 
the  night. 

Oft  have  I  wondered  what  the  world  would 
have  thought  of  these  improvisations  of  mine  ! 

Those  were  pleasant  days  which  I  spent  with 
the  gypsies,  and  always,  when  safely  encamped 
far  from  the  highways  that  led  to  the  cities, 
I  would  play  to  them  my  music,  whether  it  were 
sad  or  gay,  and,  again,  I  was  the  Testore  of 
old. 

At  last  I  returned  home,  and  was  told  by 
many  of  the  finding  without  the  city  of  the 
dead  body  of  the  Conte  Alfonso. 

I  listened  to  these  several  tales,  carelessly 
asked  a  few  questions,  then  engrossed  myself 
in  my  work,  for  I  was  filled  with  the  desire  to 
combine  two  varnishes  in  such  a  way  as  would 
produce  one  more  beautiful  in  colour  than  any 
I  had  as  yet  used.  For  the  time  I  was  happy 
since  the  experiment  proved  a  success.  I  spent 
long  hours  rubbing  it  upon  one  of  my  beloved 
instruments.  Thus  Conte  Alfonso  was  for- 
gotten by  me,  and  my  comrades  left  me  alone 
for  they  were  occupied  with  affairs  of  State. 


TESTORE  27 

France  had  insulted  us,  and  there  was  much 
talk  of  war,  but  so  completely  was  I  absorbed 
in  the  delights  of  my  work  that  I  gave  but 
little  attention  to  the  rumours,  therefore  I  was 
not  surprised  when  they  came  to  naught. 


CHAPTER   V 

ONE  day,  Francesco,  my  cousin,  invaded  my 
chamber  of  fiddles,  a  thing  which  none  dare  do 
without  my  leave  or  invitation,  for  only  la  mia 
bimba  had  been  allowed  to  come  and  go,  at 
will. 

He  was  hot  and  breathless,  and,  as  he 
would  have  heedlessly  brushed  aside  some  of 
my  precious  wood  in  order  to  seat  himself, 
I  pointed  to  the  door.  He  obeyed  my  gesture 
for  they  were  all  very  good  to  me. 

Following  him  to  the  living-room,  I  inquired 
as  to  the  cause  of  his  excitement. 

"  Strange  news,  cousin,"  answered  he,  "  the 
convent  of  the  Holy  Mother  has  been  burnt 
to  the  ground." 

I  started,  for  that  was  the  convent  wherein 
Signorina  had  taken  refuge.  Signorina,  whom 
I  had  forgotten.  But,  before  I  could  speak, 
Francesco  continued  hurriedly,  "  Cousin,  do 
you  remember  the  talk  concerning  a  lady  who 
was  missing  at  the  time  of  the  murder  of  the 

Conte  Alfonso  ? " 

28 


TESTORE  29 

I  could  only  look  my  answer,  for  my  mind 
was  full  of  the  many  incidents  of  that  hot  day 
in  July. 

"  Well,  they  say  that  she  was  betrothed,  or 
about  to  be  betrothed,  to  the  Duca  Visconti's 
nephew.  No  trace  was  found  of  her  till  one  of 
the  Duca's  men,  having  been  sent  to  the  con- 
vent with  a  message  from  his  master,  saw  her. 

"  He  had  been  ordered  to  deliver  the  missive 
to  none  other  than  the  Abbess  herself,  and, 
likewise,  to  receive  the  reply  from  her  own 
hand.  Whilst  waiting  for  it  in  an  ante-chamber, 
the  Signorina  entered.  Although  she  with- 
drew quickly  when  she  saw  who  sat  there,  the 
man  recognised  her. 

"  He  held  his  tongue  concerning  this  en- 
counter, for  those  who  serve  the  great,  learn 
full  well  the  worth  of  silence,  but,  taking  the 
letter  which  the  Abbess  presently  brought  him, 
he  set  forth  on  his  return  journey. 

"  On  his  arrival  at  the  palace,  he  was  im- 
mediately summoned  before  the  Duke,  who, 
having  received  the  answer  to  his  missive, 
would  have  dismissed  him  but  the  man  lingered. 
Then  his  master  asked  if  he  had  aught  to  say 
of  import,  whereon  his  servant  told  him  of 
whom  he  had  seen  in  the  ante-chamber  of  the 


3o  TESTORE 

convent.  The  Duke  listened  silently  to  this 
tale,  and  when  the  man  had  said  all,  he  asked 
him  if  he  could  swear  to  the  truth  of  his  words. 

"Satisfied  with  the  reply  that  she  was  well 
known  to  him  since  during  her  residence  at 
court  she  had  daily  visited  her  horse  in  its 
stall,  the  Duca  sent  an  escort  to  fetch  her  to 
his  palace. 

"  Armed  with  the  warrant  for  this  deed,  sealed 
with  the  crest  of  the  house  which  he  served, 
the  Captain  thereof  was  admitted  to  the  presence 
of  the  Abbess,  who,  however,  refused  to  throw 
any  light  on  the  matter. 

"Then,  acting  upon  further  orders,  the  con- 
vent was  searched,  even  the  chapel  itself,  and 
the  vaults  below,  but  with  no  result,  save  a 
stirring  of  forgotten  dust. 

"  Therefore,  the  Captain  sent  a  messenger  to 
acquaint  the  Duke  with  that  they  had  done, 
while  he,  and  the  others,  remained  behind  on 
guard. 

"  The  Abbess,  and  her  nuns,  retired  beyond 
sound  of  their  voices,  or  the  thread  of  their 
feet.  At  dawn  the  building  was  ablaze,  and, 
in  spite  of  all  the  efforts  of  the  soldiers,  and 
the  prayers  of  the  women,  it  was  burnt  to  the 
ground.  Yet  none  were  hurt,  save  two,  who 
perished  in  the  flames." 


TESTORE  31 

Fain  would  I  have  hurried  away  for  I 
yearned  to  be  alone,  but  Francesco  detained 
me.  Laying  his  hand  on  my  arm,  he  said, 
"  The  Abbess  is  here  in  this  town." 

"And  her  nuns  ?" 

"  Are  with  her." 

That  scene  under  the  tree  by  the  vineyard 
of  the  dead  lying  so  still  on  the  earth,  and 
Signorina  pointing  to  my  blood-stained  sword, 
flashed  across  my  mind,  and,  unbeliever  as  I 
was,  I  crossed  myself.  This  action  pleased  my 
cousin,  for  he  was  a  devout  Catholic. 

"  What  caused  the  fire  ?  " 

Francesco  shook  his  head. 

"  Many  think  it  a  punishment  sent  by  the 
Holy  Virgin  for  the  violation  wrought  to  her 
convent." 

"  Why  then  did  she  allow  two  of  her 
followers  to  perish  in  the  flames  ? " 

My  cousin  made  the  sign  of  the  Cross. 

"We  may  not  question  her  doings,"  said 
he,  "  and  I  would  that  you  thought  more 
reverently  on  these  things." 

"  Bah  !  I  tell  you  she  had  nothing  to  do 
with  it.  They  are  but  fools  who  believe  such 
talk." 

Sad  indeed  was  the  look  upon  Francesco's 
face  ;  he  turned  to  go. 


32  TESTORE 

"  Ah,  well,  if  that  is  all  you  can  say,  1  am 
sorry.  I  came  to  see  if  you  would  accompany 
me  to  II  Duomo  where  masses  are  to  be  sung 
for  the  dead." 

I  was  fond  of  my  cousin,  and,  repentant  of 
having  wounded  his  feelings,  I  laid  my  hand 
caressingly  on  his  shoulder,  saying  that  I  would 
go  with  him. 

Without,  the  streets  were  filled  with  men, 
women  and  children,  all  hurrying  in  a  state  of 
great  excitement  towards  the  Cathedral,  and, 
as  we  joined  the  ever-increasing  crowd,  eager 
questions  were  heard  on  all  sides. 

When  we  reached  II  Duomo,  it  was  Fran- 
cesco who  pushed  his  way  well  to  the  front, 
and  I  kept  close  to  him.  To  the  service  I  paid 
but  scant  attention,  for  my  thoughts  were  of 
Signorina.  What  if  she  be  one  of  the  victims 
to  the  fire  ? 

The  masses  over,  we  waited  till  the  people 
had  somewhat  dispersed.  Two  nuns  passed  by 
us.  One  of  them  dropped  her  book  at  my 
feet.  Stooping,  I  picked  it  up,  and,  as  she 
took  it  from  my  hand,  our  eyes  met. 

My  face  flushed,  but  she  only  inclined  her 
head  as  if  to  acknowledge  my  little  act  of 
courtesy,  and  rejoined  her  companion. 

Francesco  had  noticed  neither  the  look  nor 


TESTORE  33 

my  change  of  countenance,  and  I,  of  course, 
was  silent. 

We  reached  my  house  where  my  cousin  left 
me,  and  I  went  to  my  room.  There  I  tried  to 
work,  but  my  mind  dwelt  so  persistently  on 
that  little  incident  in  II  Duomo  that  soon  I 
gave  up  all  attempts,  and  sauntered  forth 
again. 

The  town  was  still  flooded  with  people. 
Many  I  knew  ;  some  would  have  stayed  me, 
but,  being  in  no  mood  for  idle  chatter,  I 
pushed  on  until  I  found  that  unconsciously 
I  had  reached  the  Cathedral. 

I  entered,  prompted  by  a  force  within  me 
which  I  was  compelled  to  obey.  Passing  up 
the  aisle,  I  knelt  before  an  altar. 

The  stalls  were  still  filled  with  kneeling 
monks.  Somewhere  in  the  background  voices 
were  heard  in  a  Psalm  of  Supplication.  I 
buried  my  face  in  my  hands,  and  I,  Testore, 
prayed. 

When  I  raised  my  head  1  saw  that  a  peasant 
woman  had  seated  herself  next  to  me.  She 
was  regarding  me  anxiously,  but  the  look  of 
uncertainty  in  her  eyes  gave  way  to  relief 
when  she  saw  my  face  clearly. 

As  1  turned  to  pass  out,  she  adroitly  pushed 
a  tiny  missive  into  my  hand,  making  at  the 


34  TESTORE 

same  time  a  sign  to  imply  secrecy.  I  closed 
my  fingers  over  it,  then  withdrew  my  hand 
under  my  cloak  that  none  might  see.  The 
action  pleased  her.  She  knelt  down,  and 
commenced  to  tell  her  beads  rapidly. 

Not  till  I  was  in  my  own  chamber  did  I 
open  and  read. 

"  To  the  good  Testore  to  whom  I  ever  owe 
a  debt  of  gratitude. 

"To-night  I  set  out  for  Naples,  and  from 
thence  to  Sicily.  Addio  !  Addio  !  " 

There  was  no  signature,  only  these  few 
words. 

She  knew,  then,  that  I  had  recognised  her, 
and  the  thought  that  she  trusted  me,  believ- 
ing me  incapable  of  treachery,  filled  my  heart 
with  joy. 

«  To  Sicily  !  " 

It  was  a  long  way.  I  scanned  the  paper 
again  and  again  lest  I  might  have  missed  aught 
upon  it.  But  no,  just  this  short  message.  My 
interest,  curiosity,  call  it  which  you  will,  grew. 
I  would  not  be  baffled.  Once  1  had  been 
her  knight,  but  since  then — what  ? 

Impatiently,  angrily,  I  paced  the  room. 
Mad,  impulsive  fellow  that  1  was,  I  had  for- 
gotten her  until  my  cousin  had  rushed  in  upon 


TESTORE  35 

me  with  the  tale  of  the  burning  of  the  con- 
vent. Then  had  followed  that  chance  meeting 
in  II  Duomo. 

Behold,  how  often  a  small  spark  kindles  a 
great  fire  ! 

My  impatience  grew.  1  vowed  that  I  would 
see  her,  this  beautiful  lady  who  now  so  utterly 
possessed  my  heart  to  the  exclusion  of  all 
else. 

Visions  of  her  as  a  sainted  nun,  deprived  of 
all  that  makes  the  life  of  a  woman,  did  but 
strengthen  my  wild  intention. 

The  difficulties  which  would  have  to  be 
overcome  were  as  naught.  I  brushed  them 
aside.  She  should  be  mine.  Work,  fame,  all 
were  possible  with  her  at  my  side. 

At  last,  worn  out  by  the  excess  of  my  mood, 
I  sat  down,  and  gazed  again  at  the  missive 
which  I  had  clasped  tightly  in  my  left  hand  all 
the  while  my  thoughts  ran  riot. 

"  To-night  I  set  out." 

I  let  the  paper  fall  as  I  suddenly  grasped  the 
fact  that  but  a  few  hours  I  had  in  which  to  act. 

"To-night!" 

Rapidly  I  planned. 

I,  too,  would  seek  the  road  to  Naples,  and 
lie  in  ambush  until  the  Abbess  and  her  train 
passed. 


36  TESTORE 

Fate  might  be  kind  to  me  ;  some  chance 
might  guide  my  steps  to  success. 

Again,  my  absence  would  cause  but  little 
remark,  since  I  had  always  been  prone  to  these 
fits  of  wandering,  which  oft  lasted  for  days, 
and  even  weeks  ;  and  my  mother,  good  old 
soul,  must  have  grieved  sadly  enough  over  her 
wayward  son.  Not  that  she  ever  chided  me, 
but  I  know  that  her  happiest  hours  were  when 
I  was  safe  at  work  in  my  room  of  fiddles. 

Hiding  a  supply  of  money  about  my  person, 
I  donned  my  cloak,  for  I  had,  perforce,  to 
seek  a  horse  ere  I  could  commence  my 
journey. 

A  good  mount  found,  I  drank  a  cup  of  wine 
with  its  master,  ere  I  started  for  the  road  with- 
out Milano  which  led  southwards. 

With  the  city  behind  me,  and  the  highway 
before,  I  put  my  steed  to  the  gallop,  taking 
care,  however,  not  to  over-ride  him,  for  I 
knew  not  yet  what  might  be  in  store  for  us. 

And  as  I  rode  on  so  wild  an  errand,  me- 
thought  of  a  place  but  a  few  miles  farther  on, 
favourable  for  a  sudden  attack  ;  a  sharp  turn, 
trees  on  either  side,  and  behind  them  broken 
ground,  and  low  bushes. 

All  travellers  dreaded  this  spot.  Too  often 
had  it  witnessed  struggles  between  those  who 


TESTORE  37 

fain    would    keep    their   gold,  and   those  who 
would  lighten  them  of  it. 

How  I  was  to  accomplish  my  mad  intent  of 
taking  captive  Signorina  single-handed,  I  knew 
not  yet,  but  Fate  sent  help  to  me  as  you  shall 
hear. 


CHAPTER  VI 

WHEN  I  reached  this  bend  in  the  road,  I 
dismounted,  and  making  fast  the  bridle  of  my 
horse  to  a  low-hanging  branch  of  one  of  the 
many  trees,  I  examined  the  place  as  well  as  I 
could  by  the  light  of  the  new  moon. 

The  time  so  spent  repaid  me  well,  for  I  came 
upon  signs  which  encouraged  me  to  hope  that, 
perhaps,  my  attempt  to  snatch  Signorina  from 
her  companions  would  not  be  a  failure. 

Now  there  was  naught  I  could  do  save  to 
wait  in  patience. 

Two  parties  would  come  this  way  ere  dawn 
of  day. 

And  my  success  depended  on  which  should 
arrive  first. 

For  the  traces  that  I  had  discovered  told  me 
that  to-night  this  spot  would  be  the  rendezvous 
of  my  gypsy  friends. 

Ah,  what  a  waiting  was  that  ! 

A  minute  stretched  to  a  half-hour,  the  half- 
hour  to  an  interminable  day. 

There  was  no  wind.  All  was  still  around 
38 


TESTORE  39 

me.  I  bared  my  head,  and  gazed  into  the 
beauty  of  the  night,  and  at  the  silver  moon  set 
in  a  cloudless  grey-blue  sky. 

At  last  I  heard,  not  the  thud  of  galloping 
horses,  but  the  shrill  whistle  which  I  so  well 
knew,  and  for  which  I  had  so  hoped. 

And,  in  answer,  shadowy  forms  appeared, 
and  grouped  themselves  around  their  leader. 

I  waited  until  I  deemed  that  they  had  all 
assembled,  then  I,  too,  gave  a  cry,  the  call  of  a 
friend  in  distress. 

One  by  one  they  approached  me.  I  held  up 
one  hand,  imploring  for  silence,  whilst  I 
extended  the  other  which  they  grasped 
affectionately. 

Swiftly  the  chief  comprehended  my  look 
that  I  would  speak  to  him  apart. 

Speaking  rapidly,  and  in  low  tones,  I  made 
known  to  him  my  desire,  and  he,  grasping 
my  wild  idea,  speedily  made  his  plans  to 
aid  me. 

"  None  too  soon  have  we  come,"  said  he, 
as  he  strode  back  to  his  comrades  who 
awaited  near. 

In  a  few  minutes  that  highway  became  alive 
with  silent,  moving  figures. 

Ropes  were  produced,  and  a  barrier  held  by 
living  men,  was  soon  formed. 


4o  TESTORE 

Hardly  were  these  preparations  finished  ere 
the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  disturbed  the  quiet 
of  the  night. 

Caspar,  the  gypsy  chief,  rejoined  me. 

"  None  too  soon,"  he  repeated. 

"  They  ride  fast,"  muttered  I  to  him. 

"  That  we  cannot  help,"  my  friend  replied. 

"  If  they  turn  ? " 

My  tones  betrayed  my  anxiety. 

"The  like  greeting  meets  them.  Some  of 
my  men  will  close  up  behind  directly  the  riders 
pass." 

The  grip  of  my  hand  told  him  of  my 
admiration  for  his  forethought. 

"  I  would  that  they  rode  less  furiously,  for 
I  counted  not  upon  broken  bones." 

"  Since  they  will  be  hemmed  in  on  all 
sides,  the  men  have  orders  to  cry  out ;  there 
will  be  time  for  them  to  check  their  speed 
somewhat." 

These  words  lifted  a  burden  from  off  me, 
and  again  I  tightened  my  grasp  on  his  arm  to 
bespeak  my  gratitude. 

It  was  a  bold  deed  which  Caspar's  quick 
brain  had  devised,  and  those  in  charge  knew 
well  the  penalty  which  followed  disobedience. 

Once,  twice,  the  call  rang  out  ;  and,  ere  the 
echoes  thereof  died  away,  all  was  in  confusion. 


TESTORE  41 

The  horses  were  surrounded  ;  strong  hands 
held  them  till  their  riders,  overpowered,  were 
forced  to  surrender. 

A  babel  of  voices  arose,  but  none  of  the 
women  shrieked  aloud. 

So  suddenly  had  the  horsemen  been  pinioned 
that  they  had  no  time  to  draw  swords. 

I  sought,  and  found,  my  beautiful  lady. 

"  Dismount  !  "  said  I  curtly  ;  then,  ere  she 
had  time  to  speak,  I  added,  "Trust  yourself 
to  me  for  no  harm  shall  befall  you." 

Silently  she  obeyed  me,  but  my  heart  told 
me  that  she  knew  my  voice. 

"  Come,"  continued  I,  "  in  ten  minutes  we 
must  be  far  away." 

"  You  would  have  me  forsake  my  friends  ? " 

Proudly  she  drew  herself  up. 

But  I  laughed  softly,  and  in  low  tones 
replied,  "  You  will  come,  for  only  by  so  doing, 
can  you  aid  your  companions." 

Naught  answered  she  to  my  words,  but 
stared  at  me  with  frightened  eyes,  and  whiten- 
ing lips. 

"  In  ten  minutes  if  you  and  I  are  still  here, 
your  comrades  die.  Look  1  " 

Grasping  her  arm  firmly  with  one  hand,  I 
pointed  to  the  crowd  of  gypsies,  who  out- 
numbered the  captured  by  three  to  one. 


42  TESTORE 

It  was  a  cruel  lie,  but  how  else  could  I 
prevail  upon  her  ? 

Though  she  spoke  not,  I  knew  that  she 
would  yield  rather  than  endanger  the  lives  of 
her  friends. 

"  I  swear  to  you  that  all  shall  be  saved  ;  not 
even  a  drop  of  their  blood  shall  be  shed,  only 
we  must  depart  ere  it  be  too  late." 

"  I  do  not  understand " 

"  Hush  !  "  I  interrupted,  for  Caspar  ap- 
proached, and  I  had  no  wish  for  him  to  hear 
her  words,  since  he  believed  that  she  desired 
to  be  thus  liberated,  and  to  come  with  me. 

He  laughed  low  when  he  saw  us,  and  began 
to  speak,  but,  fortunately,  in  the  patois  of  his 
tribe,  comprehensible  only  to  those  who  had 
learnt  of  its  mysteries  of  words  and  accent. 

Signorina,  thinking  that  he  threatened  us, 
gave  way. 

"Let  us  go,"  said  she. 

Fast  beat  my  heart  at  her  words. 

I  begged  Caspar  to  give  me  an  hour's  start, 
and  then  to  withdraw  his  men. 

But  not  till  I  held  my  beautiful  lady  in  front 
of  me  on  my  good  steed,  could  I  feel  that  I 
had  her  safe. 

For  the  others  I  cared  not  ;  Caspar  would 
keep  faith  with  me ;  there  would  be  no  violence 


TESTORE  43 

or  robbery,  but  when  the  time  was  up  for  which 
I  had  asked  the  gypsies  would  vanish,  leaving 
the  women  free  to  release  the  pinioned  men. 
Whether  the  alarmed  travellers  proceeded  on 
their  journey,  or  returned  to  Milano,  mattered 
not  to  me. 

On  we  galloped — neither  of  us  spoke  ;  a 
stray  lock  of  her  hair  was  blown  against  my 
face,  and  it  but  fanned  me  to  starker  deeds. 

At  last,  when  a  great  distance  was  put 
between  us  and  those  whom  we  had  left  behind, 
I  checked  the  wild  gallop  ;  then,  alighting,  I 
lifted  Signorina  to  the  ground. 

Side  by  side  we  stood,  with  the  night  air 
playing  upon  our  faces  ;  then,  with  a  quick 
movement,  I  faced  her. 

She  was  veiled  in  a  long  cloak  of  the  kind 
peculiar  to  the  order  of  nuns  with  whom  she 
had  been  travelling. 

I  bent  towards  her. 

"  Angelo  mio  !  " 

Very  tenderly  I  said  these  words  which  to  a 
lover  means  so  much,  but  her  eyes  fell  from 
the  fierce  fire  in  mine. 

"  Angelo  mio  !  " 

Again  I  spake  in  a  low  whisper,  bending  so 
close  to  her  dear  face  that  I  could  feel  her 
breath  upon  my  cheek  ;  but  still  she  answered 


44  TESTORE 

not,  only  her  hands,  which  I  held  within  mine, 
were  not  withdrawn. 

"  Angelo  mio  !  " 

1  kissed  her  ear. 

She  trembled,  and  sought  to  free  herself. 

I  let  her  hands  go,  and  she  hid  her  face 
within  them  whilst  her  form  shook  with  sobs. 
Dismayed,  1  gazed  at  her.  It  cut  me  to  the 
quick  that  I  had  made  her  weep  for  I  loved 
her  so,  and  I  would  that  I  had  never  dared  this 
thing.  I  bit  my  lips,  I  drove  my  nails  into 
my  palms,  then  I  tore  her  hands  from  before 
her  eyes  that  I  might  read  their  message,  for  I 
would  rather  pierce  my  heart  with  my  own 
sword  than  trouble  her  with  my  presence,  if 
that  were  hateful  to  her ;  but  my  blood  coursed 
quickly  through  my  veins,  for  neither  hate  nor 
fear  were  therein  written,  but  the  look  that 
tells  a  lover  much.  I  seized  her  in  my  arms, 
our  lips  met,  and,  in  that  fierce  tumult  of 
passion  and  joy,  all  was  forgotten,  yea,  even 
Fanciullina. 

Presently,  the  difficulties  that  surrounded  us, 
forced  themselves  upon  our  minds,  and  we 
spoke  together  of  how  we  should  evade 
capture. 

Fearing  to  waste  the  minutes,  we  rode  on 
again  till  we  struck  a  side  path.  The  neigh- 


TESTORE  45 

bourhood  was  strange  to  me,  and  the  beast, 
weaned  with  his  double  burden,  stumbled,  and 
drooped  his  head.  So  I  turned  off  this  path 
on  to  the  grass  amidst  some  trees,  and  there  I 
found  a  spot  in  which  to  rest. 

Relieving  the  horse  of  his  saddle  and  bit, 
I  seated  myself  beside  my  beautiful  lady,  who, 
resting  her  head  upon  my  shoulder,  fell  asleep. 

And  thus  passed  what  remained  of  that 
night. 

My  limbs  ached  with  the  rigid  posture. 
Hunger  and  thirst  beset  me  sorely,  but,  even 
so,  the  day  dawned  all  too  soon. 

Always,  in  my  mad  wanderings,  I  could 
completely  put  aside  all  thoughts  of  work, 
returning  to  it  with  greater  zest  than  ever. 
Thus  it  was  now,  for  here  was  I,  Testore  the 
fiddle-maker  of  Milano,  content  with  but  one 
thought,  his  beautiful  lady. 

Unable  to  stand  my  cramped  position  any 
longer,  I  moved  slightly  ;  but  it  disturbed 
Signorina,  and  she  opened  her  eyes. 

Though  bewildered  at  first,  she  soon  remem- 
bered all  that  had  passed,  and,  "  Testore  !  "  she 
whispered  softly.  I  bent  to  her  and  the  wild 
chaos  of  my  mind  was  stilled  for  the  time  ; 
yet  we  might  not  tarry,  for  we  must  ride  till 
we  reached  a  town. 


46  TESTORE 

Putting  her  gently  from  me,  I  bade  her 
take  off  the  sombre  cloak  that  I  might  hide 
it,  perchance,  in  the  depth  of  some  hollow 
trunk  of  a  tree. 

Now  we  rode  anew,  and,  before  long,  came 
upon  the  outskirts  of  a  city  where  we  met  a 
man  driving  two  cows  into  a  yard.  A  lad 
followed  with  a  pail  of  milk.  Ah,  that  white 
frothy  milk !  The  very  sight  of  it  intensified 
our  thirst. 

Hastily  pulling  up,  I  alighted,  and,  seizing 
the  pail  from  the  hand  of  the  astonished  boy, 
raised  it  to  the  lips  of  my  beautiful  lady. 

Never  before  had  she  used  so  huge  a  goblet, 
and  only  such  as  she  could  have  drunk  from 
it  so  daintily. 

"  Hold,  Signore,  hold  !  "  cried  the  owner  of 
the  cows.  "  Art  thou  man  or  devil,  that  thou 
dost  rob  me  of  my  milk  ? " 

But  I  only  rested  the  pail  for  a  second  on 
the  ground  ere  we  attacked  its  contents  anew. 
At  which  sight  he  crossed  himself,  and  mut- 
tered a  prayer  for  protection  from  evil  spirits. 

Then,  more  concerned  for  his  dairy  than  for 
his  soul,  he  bravely  sought  to  snatch  the  pail 
as  I  lifted  it  yet  again. 

Merrily  I  laughed,  for  there  was  much 
humour  in  the  situation,  and  this  laughter 


TESTORE  47 

reassured  them  somewhat ;  but  the  coin  I 
proffered  relieved  their  fears  completely,  so 
that  they  were  both  eager  to  hold  the  pail 
whilst  I  quenched  my  thirst. 

Refreshed,  I  asked  the  man  what  manner 
of  inns  were  to  be  had  in  the  town. 

"  The  Signore  would  do  me  a  great  honour 
if  he  would  deign  to  make  use  of  my  humble 
abode." 

I  looked  at  him.  His  features  were  honest 
enough,  and  the  kindly  light  within  his  eyes 
redeemed  the  somewhat  stupid  appearance  of 
his  countenance.  So  I  accepted  his  offer. 

Leading  us  up  the  yard,  he  opened  a  door 
which,  entering,  we  found  ourselves  in  a  low- 
built,  rudely  furnished  room.  A  woman, 
busily  cooking  over  the  fire,  turned,  and, 
before  I  could  defend  myself  from  her  un- 
foreseen attack,  had  enfolded  me  in  her  arms. 

Amazed  and  angered,  I  freed  myself,  but 
her  voice  told  me  that  her  face  had  not  re- 
vealed, for,  taking  me  again  into  her  embrace, 
she  repeated  excitedly,  "  Buono  Carlo  !  Dost 
thou  not  know  me — Teresa,  who  was  the  first 
to  hold  thee  in  her  arms.  For  shame,  Carlo 
mio  !  'Tis  thus  we  are  forgotten." 

And  yet  again  she  fell  to  hugging  me. 

A  faithful  servant  of  our  family,  Teresa  had 


48  TESTORE 

only  left  us  to  be  married,  and,  since  travelling 
was  dangerous,  and  letters  unknown  among  the 
peasant  folk,  we  had  lost  sight  of  her  in  her 
new  home  miles  distant. 

Releasing  me  only  that  she  might  the  better 
look  at  me,  she  laughed  so  gaily  that,  perforce, 
we  joined  in  her  merriment. 

Alas  !  how  often  is  such  laughter  followed 
by  tears. 

Soon  a  meal  was  set  before  us,  and  when  we 
had  partaken  of  it,  I  was  shown  into  a  small 
chamber  where,  flinging  myself  upon  the  couch, 
I  fell  asleep. 

It  was  very  late  in  the  day  when  I  awoke 
and  made  my  way  to  the  kitchen  where  Teresa 
occupied  herself  with  some  household  duty. 

The  table  was  prepared  for  one  at  which 
I  wondered,  whilst  a  pang  of  disappointment 
shot  through  me  when  I  saw  that  my  old  nurse 
was  alone. 

She  turned  as  I  entered.  Then  I  saw  that 
her  eyelids  wese  red,  as  though  she  had  wept 
much.  Eagerly  I  questioned  her  as  to  the 
welfare  of  Signorina.  My  old  nurse  replied 
that  she  had  rested  well,  and,  "  Oh,  how  beau- 
tiful, how  gracious  was  la  gran  dama."  Thus 
she  chattered,  all  the  while  noisily  arranging 
the  platters  on  the  table. 


TESTORE  49 

When  at  last  she  paused,  and  1  could  speak 
to  ask  anew  of  my  companion,  Teresa  gave  me 
a  message  from  her. 

My  beautiful  lady  was  still  weary  and,  there- 
fore, would  rest  till  the  morrow. 

"  But,"  stammered  I,  "  must  I  wait  till 
then?" 

"  Such  is  her  wish,  buono  Carlo.  She 
begged  that  none  might  disturb  her,  but  she 
bade  me  see  that  you  ate  well  when  you 
awoke." 

Moodily  I  refused  to  sit  down,  and  naught 
that  Teresa  said  availed.  Impatiently  pacing 
up  and  down  the  room,  I  implored  my  nurse 
to  go  and  ask  la  gran  dama  to  change  her 
mind.  But  she  only  shook  her  head,  and,  at 
last,  as  in  the  old  days,  when  she  alone  could 
make  me  obey  when  no  one  else  could,  I  gave 
in  to  her  entreaties,  and  seated  myself  at  the 
table. 

The  repast  over,  we  chatted  long  over  by- 
gone memories.  She  spoke  highly  of  her 
husband,  sighing  deeply  when  she  told  me  that 
through  all  their  twelve  wedded  years  no  little 
one  had  blessed  their  home. 

And  I  told  her  of  many  of  my  doings.  I 
hid  not  from  her  my  reckless  ways  and  deeds, 
only  I  spake  not  a  word  of  la  mia  bimbo,,  nor 


50  TESTORE 

did  I  tell  her  of  my  first  meeting  with  my 
beautiful  lady. 

After  a  while  I  grew  silent  and  oppressed  ; 
so  many  thoughts  crowded  themselves  within 
my  brain,  and  the  air  of  the  room  became  so 
hot  that  I  felt  as  though  the  walls  thereof 
were  closing  in  upon  me.  Arising  hurriedly, 
I  passed  without. 

Night  had  again  fallen  and,  as  I  paced  the 
garden,  the  heavy  pressure  around  me  lightened. 

And  I  lived  in  those  past  hours,  dwelling  on 
each  word  and  look  of  Angelo  mio,  for  such 
would  I  ever  call  her. 

And,  strange  as  it  may  seem  to  many,  no 
desire  had  entered  my  mind  to  ask  of  her  her 
name.  Angelo  mio !  That  was  enough  for 
me,  and  such  I  called  her  ever  after  in  my 
heart. 

I  would  love  her,  and  ways  and  means  were 
of  little  account. 

At  length  Teresa  came  out  and  sought  to 
persuade  me  to  return  to  the  house  ;  but  I 
would  not  hearken  to  her,  and  she  left  me  : 
the  only  time,  I  believe,  that  she  had  failed  in 
winning  me  to  do  her  behest. 

Oh,  the  beauty  of  that  night !  The  cloudless 
sky,  the  scent  of  the  flowers,  and  the  deep 
silence  that  prevailed. 


TESTORE  51 

My  excitement  waned,  my  fears  were  lulled. 
I  felt  the  presence  of  Unseen  Beings  and,  as  in 
that  mighty  Cathedral,  I,  Testore,  prayed. 

Strange,  indeed,  are  the  thoughts  of  man. 
So  much  evil,  so  much  good,  makes  up  the 
tale  of  his  deeds  and  life,  and  oft  only  a  slight 
pressure  is  needed  to  turn  his  heart  for  either 
right  or  wrong. 

Years  afterwards  I  gave  thanks  to  Him  who 
was  then  but  a  name  to  me  for  those  long  quiet 
hours. 


CHAPTER  VII 

DAWN  found  me  still  pacing  up  and  down, 
but  calmed  and  thoughtful. 

For  the  first  time  in  my  life  an  unselfish 
love  held  me  in  its  sway. 

Our  future  should  be  in  her  hands,  not 
mine,  for  I  would  not  sully  so  pure  a  flower. 

As  the  sun  rose,  I  returned  to  the  house, 
and  finding  that  no  one  was  astir,  sought  the 
chamber  which  Teresa  had  allotted  to  me. 

I  was  content  to  wait,  and,  throwing  myself 
upon  the  couch,  I  fell  asleep.  Ere  I  awoke  I 
dreamed  of  Fanciullina. 

Never  before  had  I  dreamt  of  her. 

I  saw  her  coming  towards  me,  clothed  in 
pure  white,  her  face  radiant  with  beauty  and 
happiness.  She  held  out  to  me  that  I  thought 
was  a  fiddle,  but  no  sooner  had  my  fingers 
closed  upon  it  than  it  became  a  sharp  thorn 
which  pricked  me  sorely.  Flinging  it  down,  I 
called  to  my  child  for  she  was  passing  out  of 
my  sight,  but  she  pointed  past  herself  to  a 
mountain  peak  on  which  stood  a  city  shining 
52 


TESTORE  53 

as  of  gold.  I  tried  to  speak  but  my  tongue 
refused  to  utter  the  words,  and  Fanciullina 
slowly  passed  on.  I  watched  her  as  she  climbed 
the  height  turning  to  beckon  to  me  every  now 
and  then.  At  the  summit  two  angel-forms 
greeted  her.  One  lifted  her  in  his  arms,  while 
there  floated  downwards  a  chorus  of  heavenly 
song. 

Awaking,  I  found  myself  sitting  up,  with 
hands  outstretched  and  tear-laden  eyes. 

I  sank  back  on  the  pillow,  and  my  thoughts 
were  of  the  past,  and  the  present,  la  mia  bimba^ 
and  Angek  mio. 

Soon  came  a  gentle  knock  at  my  door  and 
Teresa  entered.  The  room  became  fragrant 
with  the  odour  of  coffee,  a  rare  delicacy,  and 
one  little  to  be  expected  in  a  small  homestead. 
Taking  the  cup  from  her,  I  drank  feverishly. 
In  truth  I  had  never  before  tasted  it  though 
many  were  loud  in  their  praise  of  it. 

The  morrow  had  come  and  I  should  see  my 
beautiful  lady. 

Eagerly  I  questioned  my  hostess,  but  she 
answered  not,  and,  without  a  word,  disappeared. 
Ere  I  could  comprehend  her  demeanour  and 
silence,  she  returned,  and  laid  a  letter  beside 
me  ;  then  she  withdrew. 

A  vague  feeling  of  uneasy  apprehension  came 


54  TESTORE 

over  me.  I  fingered  the  missive,  then  opened 
it,  and,  as  I  read  therein,  a  trembling  seized  me, 
and  a  mist  obscured  my  sight — 

"  Testore  mio,  farewell,  for  our  folly,  our 
mad  passion,  must  cease,  yet  I  love  you. 

"  You  say  that  you  love  me,  yet  how  can  you, 
whose  heart  but  a  few  months  ago  was  well- 
nigh  breaking  for  another,  make  me  a  true 
lover  ? 

"  Return  to  her.  Forget  me  if  you  can  for  I 
love  you  so  well  that  I  am  leaving  you  for 
ever.  Even  had  this  woman  not  stood  between 
us,  my  rank  alone  would  be  but  one  of  the 
many  barriers  with  which  I  am  surrounded. 

"  Seek  me  not,  my  Testore,  for  thus  I  call 
you  since  my  heart  tells  me  in  spite  of  my 
thoughts  that  you  love  me. 

"  Wild  you  may  be,  impulsive  you  are,  but 
not  wicked,  Carlo  mio,  and  I  love  you. 

"  My  Testore,  for  you  were  mine  for  a 
few  hours,  for  your  sake  I  leave  you,  and 
Italy. 

"  I  will  not  share  you  with  another  ;  nor  shall 
any  other  man  touch  my  lips,  they  are  sacred 
to  you  for  ever. 

"  Far  away,  in  a  community  of  silent  sisters,  I 
shall  hide  myself  from  the  world,  and  there 


TESTORE  55 

amid  my  solitude  I  would  that  I  could  think  of 
you  as  fulfilling  your  art. 

"  You  told  me  much  of  yourself  during  those 
hours  when  our  souls  found  each  other,  but 
more  than  you  said  I  read  in  your  face,  and, 
because  I  love  you,  and  you  love  me,  I  would 
that  you  wasted  not  all  your  life. 

"Testore  mio,  farewell !  " 

It  is  said  that  a  sudden  shock  paralyses  the 
human  frame  and  so  it  was  with  me.  I  became 
for  the  while  incapable  of  movement,  or  of 
sound,  devoid  of  sense  and  feeling. 

Then,  when  the  power  of  thought  and  motion 
returned  to  me,  numb  despair  gave  way  to 
hopelessness  and  loneliness. 

In  that  small  chamber  I  lay  till  evening. 

None  came  near  me,  not  even  Teresa, 
though  afterwards  I  learnt  that  she  had  spent 
long  moments  of  anxiety  outside  my  door,  for 
she  who  knew  so  well  my  passionate,  impulsive 
nature,  feared  this  strange  calm. 

Flesh  wounds  oft  cause  the  victim  to  cry 
aloud  but  mortal  hurts  are  at  times  received 
in  silence. 

At  sunset,  there  came  again  a  knock  upon 
my  door  and  my  nurse  entered. 

"  Buono  Carlo  !  " 


56  TESTORE 

She  held  out  to  me  a  second  letter  which  I 
took  without  a  word. 

Teresa  tarried.  It  was  cruel  of  me  not  to 
speak  to  her,  for  her  face  was  pale  and  worn 
with  fears  for  me,  but  before  Sorrow  and  Pain 
lead  one  to  the  Gate  of  Unselfish  Thoughts, 
and  Deeds,  each  soul  must  travel  for  a  while 
the  highway  of  self. 

And,  on  that  road,  some  linger,  while  others, 
possessed  of  strength  of  soul,  hastening  for- 
ward, pass  through,  then  extend  they  a  helping 
hand  to  those  still  struggling  on  behind. 

My  faithful  nurse  !  She  stood  there,  her 
features  working  with  badly  concealed  emotion, 
till,  bursting  suddenly  into  a  flood  of  tears,  she 
hurried  from  my  presence. 

I  stared  at  her  broad  back,  troubling  not  at 
her  sorrow  since  mine  was  the  only  grief  in  the 
world. 

Even  the  letter  which  she  had  brought,  was 
forgotten,  till  turning  impatiently  I  saw  it  lying 
where  it  had  fallen  from  my  hand.  Listlessly 
I  opened  it,  but  at  sight  of  the  writing  fiercely 
surged  the  passionate  tide  within  my  veins. 

Angelo  mio  ! 

I  might  have  known  that  the  missive  was 
from  her,  since  only  she  knew  of  my  where- 
abouts. 


TESTORE  .   57 

u  My  Testore  !  Once  more  I  call  you  so, 
but  after,  only  in  my  heart. 

"  Do  not  be  angry  with  the  good  Teresa  for  I 
compelled  her  to  aid  my  escape.  Her  husband 
has  escorted  me  so  far,  and,  while  the  horses 
rest,  I  write  this,  my  last  farewell,  at  a  little 
wayside  inn  that  he  may  carry  it  back  to  you. 

"  In  one  hour  he  will  leave  me  in  the  care  of 
the  good  mother  of  a  convent  near  by. 

"  1  rode  away  at  noon,  while  you  still  slept. 
Your  words  rang  in  my  ears,  your  face  was 
before  me.  I  loved  you  then,  I  love  you  now  ; 
but,  Testore  mio,  it  must  be  as  I  say. 

"  No  priest  would  bless  us  were  he  to  know 
my  true  name,  and  I  could  not  swear  to  a  false 
one  at  the  sacred  altar. 

"  Because  of  my  love  for  you,  I  will  not 
return  to  my  place  in  the  world,  neither  will  I 
wed  one  while  my  heart  is  given  to  another  ; 
though  there  are  those,  rich  and  powerful,  who 
fain  would  call  me  back  to  the  hollow  mockery 
of  life  without  you  ;  thus  only  by  taking  holy 
vows  am  I  safe  from  pursuit. 

"  In  that  retreat  my  penance  will  oft  be 
severe,  for  it  will  take  long  years  to  purge  you 
from  my  memory,  yet  shall  I  bear  it  if,  when 
kneeling  on  the  cold  stones,  I  can  think  of  you 
as  happy  in  your  work. 


5  8  TESTORE 

"  My  Testore,  I  fear  not  her  for  whom  you 
have  so  sorely  grieved  for  I  know  that  your 
love  is  mine. 

"  Riding  hither,  I  stifled  my  heart's  cry  for 
you,  and  I  cannot,  dare  not,  will  not  draw  back. 

"  We  may  not  meet  again  in  this  world,  and, 
afterwards,  who  knows  ?  Addio  !  Addio  !  " 

I  do  not  think  that  I  immediately  com- 
prehended the  full  meaning  of  these  words, 
but,  presently,  the  knowledge  was  borne  in 
upon  me  that  I  had  lost  my  beautiful  lady, 
that  never  again  would  I  look  upon  her. 

Then  I  arose  softly,  for  I  would  not  face  any 
of  that  household,  and  groped  my  way  to  the 
door  for  the  daylight  had  waned.  As  I  stepped 
without  that  chamber  I  became  aware  that  I 
was  watched.  This  exasperated  me.  Turning, 
I  hurled  out  fierce  words,  then,  completely 
forgetting  myself,  I  cursed  her  who  had  robbed 
me  of  my  all,  and  who  had  abetted  la  gran 
dama  in  her  flight. 

Of  that  which  chanced  in  the  next  few  hours 
I  have  no  remembrance,  but  when  I  came  to 
my  senses  I  was  on  horseback  many  miles  from 
the  homestead.  The  poor  beast  was  covered 
with  flecks  of  foam,  his  glossy  skin  streamed 
with  moisture,  his  limbs  trembled  from 


TESTORE  59 

exhaustion.  Sobered  by  his  piteous  state,  I  led 
him  to  a  sheltered  nook  behind  a  clump  of 
bushes,  and  there  I  sought  to  atone  for  my 
brutal  speed.  I  wiped  him  with  handfuls  of 
grass,  easing  his  mouth  of  the  bit,  then  I  spread 
my  cloak  over  his  back. 

Dear,  forgiving  beast !  Gently  nosing  me, 
he  whinnied  gratefully.  Flinging  my  arms 
around  his  neck,  I  wept  scalding  tears  of 
anguish  which  washed  away  my  youth  and 
light-heartedness  for  never  again  was  I  the 
same. 

One  by  one  the  stars  sank  in  their  vapoury 
frame.  The  breaking  of  the  dawn  drew  near 
when  Nature  is  wrapped  in  a  mystic  garment, 
then  naught  seems  common.  The  silent  song 
born  of  the  still  night  air  changes  to  a  subtler 
key.  Earth  and  things  not  of  the  earth  are  in 
communion.  Then  the  sun  appears,  and  as  he 
sends  forth  his  rays  of  light  the  twittering  of 
the  birds  cease,  they  sing  aloud  of  joy  and 
freedom.  Now  the  voice  of  mankind  is  heard. 
We  are  of  the  world  once  more. 

This  quiet  magic  of  the  coming  day  had 
soothed  me  so  that  I  was  able  to  think.  The 
neighbourhood  was  strange  to  me.  I  was  far 
from  any  town,  but  though  stiff  and  weary  a 
start  must  be  made. 


60  TESTORE 

Carefully  I  led  my  steed,  at  whiles  talking 
to  him,  for  I  was  filled  with  remorse  for  my 
thoughtless  cruelty.  I  could  not  have  borne 
the  presence  of  man,  but  the  dumb  creature  at 
my  side  just  lightened  the  solitude  enough. 
Voices  and  looks  would  have  torn  anew  the 
wound  which  only  time  could  heal. 

So  we  plodded  on,  and  struck  a  road  which 
brought  us  to  a  city  where  the  good  beast  and 
I  presently  enjoyed,  each  in  his  own  way,  the 
much-needed  rest  and  food  at  one  of  the  many 
inns  with  which  the  town  abounded. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

NEXT  morning  found  us  again  on  the  road, 
our  host's  good  wishes  following  us  as  we 
turned  our  backs  on  our  night's  shelter,  for  I 
had  paid  him  well. 

All  day  I  rode,  my  heart  aching  for  my  room 
of  fiddles.  If  only  I  could  hold  one  of  them, 
pouring  out  to  it  my  trouble,  somewhat  of  my 
misery  would  cease. 

Towards  sunset  I  reached  another  town, 
where  some  great  festival  was  in  course  of 
celebration.  The  crowded  streets  were  gay 
with  many  banners  and  festoons  of  flowers. 
Among  that  throng  of  merry-makers  I  alone 
was  heavy-hearted.  I  tried  to  find  an  inn 
wherein  to  lodge  for  the  night,  but  one  and  all 
had  the  same  tale — full,  even  to  overflowing. 
In  vain  I  begged  for  a  corner,  nay,  I  offered  to 
share  a  stall  with  my  faithful  steed,  but  always 
the  answer  was  "  No." 

Dusk  still  found  us  wandering  through  the 
city,  when  the  sound  of  music  fell  upon  my 
ears. 

61 


62  TESTORE 

The  street  was  a  mean  one  compared  with 
some  through  which  I  had  passed,  yet  the 
voice  of  that  fiddle  responded  to  the  cry  of 
my  heart.  Moreover,  he  who  could  produce 
such  tones,  so  clear,  so  pure,  must,  indeed,  be 
a  musician. 

Therefore,  I  sought  and  found  the  house 
wherein  he  lived. 

Boldly  I  knocked,  whereon  one  bade  me 
enter. 

It  was  but  a  poor  room  that  met  my  sight, 
devoid  of  much  that  appertains  to  comfort. 

Upon  the  threshold  I  paused.  My  horse 
was  close  behind  me,  and  he,  tired  out,  pushed 
his  head  over  my  shoulder  to  see  if  aught 
resembling  hay  or  stall  were  to  be  seen. 

Amid  the  shadows  of  the  twilight,  as  thus  I 
waited,  I  saw  a  form  seated  on  a  low  stool 
before  an  open  hearth. 

Again  I  was  bidden  to  enter,  and  make  fast 
the  door  behind  me. 

"  That,  Signore,  I  would  gladly  do,  but  my 
horse  is  too  valuable  a  friend  to  leave  outside 
alone  and  unprotected." 

"  Bring  the  beast  in,  for  though  the  place  is 
poor,  he  may  consider  it  good  enough,  no 
matter  what  his  master  thinks." 

A  sinister  chuckle  followed  these  words,  but 


TESTORE  63 

weariness  and  curiosity  made  me  avail  myself 
of  his  invitation. 

On  nearer  approach  I  saw  it  was  he  who  had 
been  making  those  wonderful  notes,  for  a  fiddle 
lay  on  his  knee,  his  hand  still  grasped  the  bow. 

Forgetting  that  I  was  a  stranger,  I  cried  to 
him  to  give  it  unto  me. 

And  ere  he  could  reply  I  seized  them  both. 

Afterwards  he  told  me  that  he  thought  1  was 
an  emissary  of  the  devil. 

And,  as  I  played,  much  of  the  heaviness  of 
my  soul  departed,  for  I  had  a  friend,  one  to 
whom  I  could  pour  out  all  of  my  pent-up  grief. 
Darkness  enveloped  us,  still  on  I  played.  At 
last  from  sheer  weariness  I  stopped. 

"  A  drink  !  "  1  cried.     "  Give  me  to  drink." 

Arising  from  his  seat,  the  man  lit  a  lamp. 
Then  it  was  that  I  saw  that  he  was  malformed 
in  limb  and  hideous  in  feature. 

He  signed  to  me  to  sit  down  in  his  chair,  for 
there  was  no  other,  and  taking  the  fiddle  from 
my  grasp,  he  laid  it  down  tenderly.  From  a 
cupboard  he  produced  wine,  bread,  and  fruit. 

Greedily  I  drank,  then  ate  somewhat  of  the 
food.  We  spoke  but  little  till,  my  hunger  and 
thirst  appeased,  I  held  out  some  money,  and 
made  as  though  to  go,  but  the  misshapen 
creature  begged  me  to  stay  the  night. 


64  TESTORE 

"  A  while  ago,"  said  he,  "  I  thought  you 
were  but  one  of  the  devil's  own.  You  say 
the  inns  are  full.  I  have  a  room  for  you,  and 
a  stall  for  your  beast." 

"Your  fiddle  constrains  me  to  accept  your 

hospitality,  otherwise "  I  shrugged  my 

shoulders. 

A  look  of  pain  came  over  his  callous  features. 
Truly  he  was  repulsive  to  behold. 

"  I  live  alone,"  he  answered,  u  and  I  am 
despised,  and  mocked  by  many  who  know  me 
not  for  that  I  am,  but  I  have  much  in  yonder,'' 
he  pointed  to  a  door  set  in  the  wall  by  the 
fireplace  which  I  had  not  before  perceived,  "  in 
which  you  will  still  be  interested.  Remain  the 
night.  You  will  not  regret  it." 

I  bowed  assent,  for  there  was  within  this 
man  a  latent  power  which,  in  spite  of  his 
twisted  limbs,  made  me  feel  as  though  I  were 
in  the  presence  of  one  of  high  rank  ;  moreover, 
his  tone  bespoke  of  birth  and  learning.  After- 
wards I  knew  that  he  was  hated,  and  feared, 
a  misanthrope,  and  a  miser,  but,  ah,  a  musician, 
a  lover  of  form  and  colour. 

With  difficulty  he  limped  towards  a  door, 
heavily  barred,  which  when  open  gave  upon 
a  passage. 

Down   this   I   led  my  horse,  and  found  at 


TESTORE  65 

the  end  a  room  which  served  now  as  a  stable. 
When  we  had  attended  to  the  needs  of  the 
beast,  we  retraced  our  steps  to  the  chamber 
where  I  had  first  seen  my  host,  who,  bringing 
out  more  wine,  seated  himself  again,  and  we 
sat  talking  far  into  the  night. 

And  I  marvelled  at  his  knowledge  of  art, 
nor  knew  he  less  of  history.  Fain  would  I 
have  asked  him  who,  and  what,  he  was,  and 
why  living  in  such  apparent  poverty,  but  one 
asks  not  questions  of  kings. 

"  You  are  weary,"  said  he  at  length,  and 
indeed,  he  spoke  the  truth.  u  To-morrow  you 
shall  see  my  treasures." 

I  slept  well  that  night,  in  spite  of  my  strange 
adventure,  and  awoke  refreshed. 

The  fiddle  had  done  its  work.  My  beautiful 
lady  did  not  now  obsess  all  my  thoughts.  It 
was  not  that  I  cared  for  her  less,  but  more, 
since  I  would  obey  her  behest,  and,  returning 
home,  would  take  up  my  life-work.  Then  I 
remembered  Fanciullina,  and  her  message.  As 
thus  I  meditated  there  came  a  knock  upon  my 
door,  and  my  host  entered. 

"  The  day  advances,"  said  he,  "  and  there  is 
much  I  would  show  thee." 

I  replied  that  speedily  I  would  be  at  his  ser- 
vice, and  in  a  short  time  1  was  ready  to  join  him. 


66  TESTORE 

I  found  him  in  the  room  in  which  we  had 
first  met.  He  appeared  not  to  heed  my 
entrance,  and,  as  I  approached  him  from 
behind,  my  eyes  fell  on  the  page  of  the  book 
which  he  held  in  his  hand,  apparently  reading. 
The  characters  were  unknown  to  me. 

Starting  at  the  sound  of  my  voice,  he  closed 
the  book  hastily. 

"  Come,"  replied  he  to  my  greeting,  still 
retaining  his  hold  of  the  volume,  the  action 
bespeaking  that  of  a  spoilt  child  who  fears 
that  a  cherished  toy  be  taken  from  him  : 
"  Come." 

Passing  through  the  door  set  within  the 
inner  wall,  we  entered  again  that  passage  down 
which  1  had  led  my  horse,  and,  in  answer  to 
my  inquiries  concerning  him,  he  assured  me 
that  the  beast  was  well,  and  that  he  had  been 
fed,  though  by  whom  he  did  not  say.  Last 
night  this  place  had  kept  well  its  secrets,  but 
now  in  the  bright  light  of  the  day,  I  saw  that 
the  walls  were  panelled  from  floor  to  ceiling, 
and  that,  moreover,  on  each  panel  were  de- 
picted sylphs,  gnomes,  gods,  and  goddesses. 
Only  a  genius  could  have  traced  such  forms,  or 
laid  on  such  rich  colourings. 

"The   work  of  my  hand,"   my  guide   said 
simply,   his  voice  betraying  neither  pride  nor 


TESTORE  67 

vanity.  In  just  such  a  way  one  speaks  of  an 
every-day  task  which,  perchance,  has  been  well 
done.  My  eyes  left  the  marvels  around  me, 
and  turned  on  him. 

u  You  are  a  musician,  and  a  painter  !  " 

My  voice  bespoke  admiration  and  surprise, 
but  he  only  replied,  "  I  am  an  outcast ;  a 
creature  endowed  with  all  the  desires  of  mere 
man,  but  to  whom  fulfilment  of  them  has  been 
denied." 

Bitterly  he  spoke,  his  agony  of  soul  lay 
open  to  me.  My  heart  went  out  to  him,  and, 
surely,  he  felt  my  unspoken  sympathy,  for,  in 
a  gentler  key  he  added,  "  Friend,  I  trust  thee 
to  keep  in  confidence  this  thou  hast  seen,  that 
thou  shalt  see." 

Readily  I  gave  him  my  promise. 

And,  though  this  ill-shapen  man  possessed 
so  many  gifts,  they  sufficed  not  to  atone  for 
the  scorn  of  his  fellow  men,  or  to  stifle  the 
unappeased  passions  of  his  manhood. 

"  Close  your  eyes." 

Again  that  tone  of  command  heard  only  in 
the  voices  of  the  great. 

Taking  my  hand,  he  led  me  where  I  knew 
not,  and  only  because  his  will  was  stronger 
than  mine  resisted  I  the  temptation  to  raise  my 
eyelids. 


68  TESTORE 

At  last  the  word  "  Open,"  said  tremulously 
and  excitedly,  gave  me  the  right  to  yield  to  my 
burning  curiosity. 

Never  shall  I  forget  my  utter  amazement. 
I  had  exchanged  the  vulgar  for  the  marvellous, 
the  cottage  for  a  palace. 

I  stood  in  a  large  room,  with  walls  and 
ceiling  so  exquisitely  frescoed  that  words  can- 
not describe  them.  On  the  floor  were  spread 
rugs  of  skilfully  blended  hues.  The  windows, 
and  of  these  there  were  many,  were  long, 
narrow,  and  of  stained  glass.  Cabinets  of 
rare  workmanship  held  priceless  specimens  of 
Venetian  glass. 

Several  divans  were  placed  so  that  reclining 
on  any  one  of  them  the  eye  was  enchanted  by 
some  picture  which  was  hung  in  just  the  right 
light  to  show  its  charm  of  form  and  colour. 

A  low  chuckle  reminded  me  of  the  master 
of  ail  these  beauties. 

Surely  they  were  marred  by  the  one  un- 
sightly being  at  my  side.  My  startled  look 
but  made  him  continue  his  hollow  merriment. 
Then  glanced  he  at  his  misshapen  limbs,  and 
the  laughter  ended  in  a  sigh. 

"  I  am  not  mad,"  said  he,  answering  aloud 
my  unspoken  thought,  "  but  Beauty  is  my 
goddess.  Hideous  as  1  am,  I  seek  it  in  all. 


TESTORE  69 

That  which  I  myself  lack,  with  that  I  must  be 
surrounded." 

Impulsively  I  stretched  forth  my  hand  to 
grasp  his. 

"  You  are  great !  A  creator  of  the  goddess 
whom  you  adore." 

But  at  my  words  and  hand-grip  he  turned 
away  to  hide  his  emotion,  for  it  was  the 
first  time  in  his  life  that  a  fellow-creature 
had  touched  him  thus,  and  of  his  own  free 
will. 

However,  he  speedily  recovered  himself, 
and  opening  a  cabinet,  showed  me  the  contents 
thereof,  relating  to  me  the  history  of  many  of 
the  treasures  therein. 

Next  he  opened  an  oaken  chest,  and  there 
within  its  spacious  depths,  lay  a  fiddle.  And 
I  lifted  it  from  its  snug  resting-place. 

Now  I  became  a  being,  a  soul.  I  lost  con- 
sciousness of  limbs  and  body.  Space  illimitable 
lit  up  with  irradiating  rays,  surrounded  me. 
Faces  of  marvellous  beauty  thronged  around 
me.  It  was  to  them  I  played,  and  time  was 
not. 

My  host  must  have  taken  this  creator  of 
glories  out  of  my  hand,  for  these  visions  faded 
with  the  rapidity  of  a  falling  star,  and  the 
narrow  confines  of  stone-built  building  were 


yo  TESTORE 

around  me.  I  was  but  man,  and  possessed  of 
all  his  frailties  and  sins. 

Player  and  listener  looked  at  one  another  ; 
the  spell  was  broken. 

There  was  still  more  for  me  to  see,  for  in  an 
adjoining  room  was  all  that  appertained  to  the 
making  of  fiddles. 

Wood,  kissed  by  the  sun,  was  scattered 
about  in  its  divers  stages  of  preparation.  From 
a  table  the  cripple  lifted  two  pieces ;  no  mother 
ever  held  a  child  more  tenderly  than  he  held 
these  recipients  of  man's  song  of  joy,  or  woe. 
He  laid  them  down,  he  took  them  up,  gazing 
on  them  as  we  look  on  the  face  of  one  whom 
we  dearly  love  but  whom  we  must  lose. 

At  length,  with  lips  compressed,  and  eyes 
that  bespoke  naught  save  cold  determination, 
he  thrust  them  into  my  hands. 

"  Take  !     Take  !     Lest  I  repent !  " 

My  thanks  were  rudely  checked. 

"  Our  paths  in  life  lie  apart,"  said  he,  "  but 
for  a  few  hours  I  have  tasted  of  friendship.  I 
have  met  a  fellow-soul,  not  one  whose  sole 
delight  is  in  riches.  But  see  how  some  men 
treat  me." 

He  pushed  aside  a  strand  of  his  hair  and 
thus  revealed  an  ugly  scar,  at  the  sight  of 
which  I  uttered  a  horrified  exclamation. 


TESTORE  71 

"  One  day,"  explained  he,  "  they  of  a  certain 
city  dared  to  cast  stones  at  me,  calling  me 
Wizard,  and  worse  names.  Were  it  not  that 
1  possess  great  power,  I  should  have  been 
forced  to  quit  the  world  ere  this.  No  one 
save  you  has  ever  seen  my  shrine  of  beauty. 
I  own  no  God  ;  I  acknowledge  no  hereafter, 
but — "  he  gazed  on  all  around  him — "  I  have 
this.  Naught  that  I  have  made  myself  do 
I  sell.  It  is  mine,  mine,  and  no  other  hand 
shall  touch  it." 

There  are  times  when  silence  is  the  only 
possible  expression  of  gratitude,  or  sympathy. 
I  could  but  hold  my  gift  close  to  my  overflow- 
ing heart,  for  I  knew  that  there  were  vast 
capabilities  of  sound  within  these  pieces  of  wood, 
and  I  should  be  the  one  to  awaken  them  to  life. 

Neither  of  us  spoke  till  we  were  within 
that  poverty-stricken  room.  Then  said  he, 
"  Friend,  the  day  advances,  and  you  have  far 
to  ride  ;  I,  too,  have  a  mission  to  perform  ere 
the  fall  of  night."  Almost  as  if  a  sudden  pre- 
sentiment of  forthcoming  events  overshadowed 
him,  he  added,  "  If  in  time  to  come,  trouble 
should  befall  you,  sent  straightway  a  mes- 
senger to  the  Vatican,  with  but  this  one  word, 
*  Resurgam,'  and  if  aught  can  aid  thee,  be 
certain  that  it  will." 


72  TESTORE 

We  parted,  and  much  I  thought  of  him  as 
I  rode  on  my  homeward  way.  And  then  com- 
menced a  period  upon  which  I  have  often 
looked  back  as  upon  a  time  not  entirely 
destitute  of  happiness. 


CHAPTER   IX 

ONCE  again  I  worked  long  stretches  of 
hours,  till,  completely  worn  out,  I  would  seek 
the  air,  and  laze  in  the  sunshine  until  body 
and  mind  craved  for  work  and  action.  Often, 
too,  I  visited  II  Duomo,  and  in  its  dim  aisles 
pondered  over  many  things,  especially  the 
password  of  my  strange  acquaintance.  Much 
pathos  lay  in  the  fact  that  one  who  had  so 
suffered  from  ills  of  the  earth,  and  who  yet 
denied  things  of  the  spirit,  should  use  a  word 
so  pregnant  with  meaning,  and  promise  to  all 
believers  :  "  Resurgam  !  " 

With  closed  eyes,  I  would  often  lean  back 
in  my  chair  and  picture  that  room  with  its 
bewildering  contents. 

And  so  the  days  passed,  winter  came  and 
went,  leaving  the  spring  with  us  until  the  time 
of  summer,  and  still  I  lived  a  calm  life  of  work 
and  meditation,  regardless  of  affairs  of  state. 

Oft  rumours  reached  me  of  unrest  in  neigh- 
bouring lands.  More  than  once  war  threatened 
us,  but  these  matters,  ever  on  the  lips  of  those 

73 


74  TESTORE 

I  encountered,  troubled  me  not.  My  mother 
sang  as  she  went  about  her  work,  for  I  was 
her  Carlo  mio  once  more.  My  old  companions 
sought  me  not,  for  I  had  quite  deserted  them, 
and  thus  the  weeks  sped. 

But  one  day  a  small  cloud  sullied  the  calm 
horizon  of  my  life.  It  appeared  in  the  form 
of  a  small  missive  which  was  thrust  hastily  into 
my  hand  by  a  stranger  as  I  walked  down  the 
street.  Its  massive  seal  bore  the  imprint  of 
the  word  "  Resurgam."  I  looked  round  for  the 
messenger,  but  he  had  vanished.  I  secreted 
the  note  till  I  reached  my  own  room.  There, 
with  trembling  fingers,  1  opened  it.  Short 
was  the  message  it  contained. 

"  Beware  of  a  man  who  spies  upon  thee. 
He  wears  a  green  cloak." 

My  heart  stood  still,  then  raced  on.  Fate 
had  caught  me  at  last  in  her  web  of  retribution. 
That  these  words  were  true  I  doubted  not,  for 
more  than  once  my  reveries  in  II  Duomo  had 
been  disturbed  by  the  presence  of  such  an  one, 
who,  whenever  he  passed  me,  scanned  me 
closely.  Moreover,  I  had  oft  met  him  in  my 
walks  abroad,  but,  till  the  arrival  of  this  letter, 
I  had  attached  no  significance  to  these  acts  ; 
now  the  recollection  of  them  caused  me  much 
uneasiness.  I  had  defied  State  and  Church. 


TESTORE  75 

One  of  the  Duca  Visconti's  courtiers  had 
fallen  by  my  hand,  and,  a  serious  offence  in 
those  days,  I  had  scarce  been  to  the  confessional 
since  the  death  of  la  mia  bimba. 

Soon  after  my  madcap  ride,  the  priest  to 
whom  I  had  at  whiles  confessed,  visited  me. 

*'  My  son,"  said  he,  "  day  after  day  thy 
place  is  vacant  before  the  altar.  Hast  thou 
become  a  saint  that  thou  canst  forego  that 
which  is  so  necessary  to  all  who  wish  to  win 
Heaven,  and  escape  the  pangs  of  Purgatory  ? " 

Promptly  I  had  replied  :  "  Reverendo,  those 
who  have  sinned  greatly  oft  fear  to  confess 
their  crimes  lest  absolution  be  denied  to  them." 

It  was  a  fatal  answer,  for  it  set  the  wheel  of 
suspicion,  and  of  espionage,  in  motion,  though 
at  the  time  I  thought  but  little  of  the  incident. 
Afterwards,  I  plainly  saw  that  all  the  happenings 
which  followed,  were  the  outcome  of  our  talk. 

"  And  what  sin  hast  thou  committed  ? "  he 
questioned,  peering  into  my  eyes  with  his  small 
bead-like  eyes. 

Reddening,  I  stammered  some  reply.  I 
would  that  I  had  held  my  tongue,  but  the 
words  once  spoken,  could  not  be  recalled. 

So  absorbed  was  I  in  my  work,  that  when, 
at  length,  the  priest  bade  me  farewell,  he 
passed  out  of  myjnind,  but  now  this  warning 


76  TESTORE 

message  brought  to  my  memory  his  visit,  and 
his  words. 

I  spoke  of  this  matter  to  no  one,  but 
anxiety  preyed  on  me,  and  work  again  became 
impossible. 

Thus,  one  day,  I  sought  the  air,  and,  un- 
consciously, I  turned  my  steps  towards  the 
spot  where  I  had  first  seen  my  beautiful  lady. 

Unaware  that  I  was  being  followed,  for  a 
while  I  paced  moodily  up  and  down,  then, 
leaning  against  the  tree,  I  spoke  my  thoughts 
aloud. 

The  door  of  the  past,  which  I  had  believed 
closed  for  ever,  had  been  opened  ;  the  tiny 
hinge  whereby  it  swung  back  being  but  a  few 
thoughtless  words.  Thus  is  the  chain  of  Fate 
forged  with  links  weak  in  themselves  but,  oh, 
so  strong  when  joined  together. 

My  heart  was  very  bitter,  for  had  I  been  a 
hypocrite,  confessing  but  my  lesser  sins,  the 
snake  of  suspicion  might  have  been  still 
slumbering.  I  sighed,  for  I  had  deemed  all 
safe,  all  forgotten. 

"Angelo  mio  !  "  muttered  I  aloud.  Then 
a  sudden  madness  seized  me.  I,  who  had 
never  before  felt  the  Conte  Alfonso's  death 
too  keenly,  experienced  all  the  pangs  of 
remorse  which  oft  rend  a  murderer.  Strange 


TESTORE  77 

are  the  vagaries  of  the  brain,  but,  long  years 
after,  1  believe  that  the  stranger,  who  unknown 
to  me  was  in  hiding  behind  the  tree,  fixed  his 
magnetic  will  on  me,  compelling  me  to  enact 
again  my  part  in  the  doings  of  that  summer 
afternoon. 

I  saw  the  Conte  lying  dead,  with  my  sword 
buried  in  his  heart  ;  my  beautiful  lady  stood 
again  at  my  side  pointing  to  the  still  form. 
What  I  said,  or  did,  I  know  not,  but,  at  last, 
exhausted,  I  leaned  against  the  trunk  of  the 
tree,  and  wiped  the  beads  of  sweat  from  my 
brow  and  face.  I  felt  as  though  I  had  just 
awakened  from  a  horrible  dream. 

My  sword  was  in  my  hand  ;  examining  it 
minutely,  I  muttered  :  "  Clean  !  Clean  !  See, 
how  it  shines  !  " 

And,  as  I  gazed  fixedly  upon  it,  a  shadow 
fell  athwart  its  blade. 

I  looked  up. 

The  man  in  green  was  before  me. 

"  So,  Signore,"  said  he,  "  you  are  an  adept 
at  sword-play." 

The  blood  rushed  to  my  face,  then  receding, 
left  me  deadly  pale,  yet  I  endeavoured  to  reply 
carelessly  :  "  We  of  Milano  pride  ourselves  on 
our  swordsmanship." 

"  So  !  "  the  stranger  repeated,  with  a  barely 


78  TESTORE 

concealed  smile  -of  triumph  ;  "  strange  it  is 
that  I  have  not  heard  of  that  fact." 

I  was  speechless.  A  shiver  ran  through  me, 
leaving  me  dull  and  lifeless.  Surely  this  man 
possessed  some  unknown  power,  for  under  his 
gaze  I  remained  mute  and  motionless  as  one  in 
a  nightmare.  His  will  completely  dominated 
mine. 

"  So  !  "  said  he  for  the  third  time  ;  "  Signore 
lacks  words  ;  perchance,  he  shall  learn  that 
there  are  remedies  to  cure  such  a  failing." 

And  he  turned  on  his  heels  and  left  me. 

There  are  times  in  the  lives  of  most  of  us 
when  the  peace  which  we  have  attained  after 
much  agony  of  soul,  is  overshadowed  by  a 
cloud,  which,  spreading  rapidly  at  last,  enfolds 
the  victim  in  the  darkness  of  despair. 

And  thus  it  was  with  me. 

Unconsciously  I  had  prided  myself  on  my 
self-restraint  ;  my  long  hours  of  work  ;  now, 
in  a  moment,  my  happiness  was  destroyed.  A 
short  message,  and  a  cloud,  small,  but  threaten- 
ing, appeared  on  the  horizon  ;  a  chance — but 
was  it  chance  ? — encounter  with  a  stranger,  and 
the  cloud  had  assumed  huge  proportions.  It 
would  burst,  and  who  could  save  me  from  the 
deluge  ? 

Gradually,     however,     I      became     myself. 


TESTORE  79 

Danger  had  never  found  me  wanting  in 
courage,  but  an  unknown  peril  made  me  weak 
and  incapable.  A  sword  hung  over  my  head  ; 
I  trembled  in  fear.  Let  it  fall,  and  I  should 
be  strong.  Such  was  the  mixture  of  cowardice 
and  courage  in  my  nature. 

When,  at  length,  I  returned  home,  I  sank 
into  a  seat,  and  buried  my  head  in  my  hands. 
For  a  full  hour  I  remained  thus.  My  mother, 
alarmed  at  my  demeanour,  sat  by  me,  waiting 
for  me  to  speak,  for  she  feared  to  arouse  me. 

Moved  at  last  by  a  sudden  thought,  I  rose, 
and  entered  my  work-room.  Carefully  I  lifted 
those  two  precious  pieces  of  wood  upon  which 
I  had  not  yet  begun  to  work.  If  the  walls  of 
a  prison  were  to  enclose  me  from  sun  and  air} 
I  should  at  least  have  these  which  were  so  dear 
to  me.  So  often  I  had  handled  them,  and 
dreamed  of  the  part  they  would  yet  play  in  the 
world.  Of  a  certainty  I  knew  that  some  day 
inspiration  would  seize  me,  and  that  more  than 
mere  skill  would  be  implanted  into  the  wood. 

My  mother,  who  had  followed  me,  now 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears  :  "  Carlo,  Carlo 
mio,  tell  thy  mother  what  ails  thee  ? " 

In  a  passion  of  remorse  for  my  selfish 
conduct,  I  flung  my  arms  around  her  neck. 

"  Hast    thou  ever  seen  a  man   in  a  green 


80  TESTORE 

cloak   peering   about    this    street  ? "    asked    I 
of  her. 

"  A  man  in  a  green  cloak  ? "  my  mother 
repeated  the  words,  then  fell  to  pondering. 
The  mother-born  love  within  her,  told  her 
that  this  was  no  mere  mood. 

"  Carlo  mio,  such  an  one  as  thou  dost  say, 
spent  a  long  hour  with  me  yesterday,  or  was 
it  the  day  before  ? " 

"  And  what  reason  gave  he  thee  for  his 
visit?" 

"  He  had  heard  of  your  work  as  a 
fiddle-maker,  though  he  himself  spoke  but 
little." 

My  fears  increased.  It  was  not  what  he 
had  said,  but  my  mother's  voluble  tongue 
that  I  dreaded  ;  I  knew  well  how  she  would 
delight  to  speak  of  me,  and  my  pursuits,  my 
moods,  and  works.  A  mother  oft  unwittingly 
forges  a  nail  for  her  child's  coffin,  and  never 
had  life  and  work  seemed  dearer  to  me  than 
at  this  moment  when  both  were  threatened. 

And  thou "   I  began,  but  she  stopped 

me. 

"  Indeed,  Carlo  mio,  I  told  him  naught  that 
would  injure  thee.  How  could  I,  seeing  that 
thou  art  so  blameless  ?  What  harm  is  there 
in  those  lengthy  rambles  of  thine  ? " 


TESTORE  8 1 

There  is  much  to  regret  in  my  life,  but  at 
least  I  am  spared  the  remorse  which  would 
have  been  mine,  had  I  chided  my  mother. 
Checking  the  angry  words  which  rose  so 
swiftly  to  my  lips  I  reaped  thereby  a  reward, 
for,  forgotten  in  these  hours  of  trouble  and 
apprehension,  the  password  of  the  misanthrope 
entered  into  my  thoughts,  and  with  such  force 
that  I  hurriedly  tore  a  leaf  from  my  memoir- 
book  of  work,  and  wrote  "  Resurgam  "  across 
it.  Then  I  impressed  upon  my  mother  that 
if  I  were  taken  from  her  to  prison,  she  must 
get  it  conveyed  as  speedily  as  possible  to 
Rome,  to  the  Vatican. 

"  See,"  said  I,  for  a  commotion  without  in 
the  street  but  confirmed  this  sudden  pre- 
sentiment, "  it  is  of  import  if  thou  dost  wish 
to  look  on  me  again.  Keep  the  matter  secret, 
and,  above  all,  say  naught  thereon  to  the 
priest,  for  he  is  my  enemy.  Francesco  is  to 
be  trusted  ;  he  may  take  it  himself,  or,  at  least, 
he  will  procure  for  thee  a  messenger." 

Bending  to  her,  I  kissed  her  tenderly,  and 
thrusting  her  before  me  from  the  room,  I 
locked  the  door  behind  us.  Ere  the  knock 
was  repeated  we  were  in  the  living-room,  and 
I  boldly  flung  open  the  street  door,  for  my 
courage  had  returned. 


82  TESTORE 

"  Madre  di  Dio ! "  I  ejaculated,  when  I 
saw  the  doorway  surrounded  by  a  crowd  of 
people,  foremost  of  whom  was  an  officer 
accompanied  by  some  soldiers.  "  I  cannot 
invite  you  all  to  enter,  for  my  dwelling  is 

small,  but " 

My  words  were  cut  short  by  a  man,  who, 
stepping  forward,  thrust  the  hilt  of  his  sword 
into  my  face. 

Although  now  in  a  different  garb,  I  knew 
him  for  the  spy  in  the  green  cloak.  His 
narrow,  sinister  eyes  shone  with  ill-concealed 
delight.  Already,  in  imagination,  his  greedy, 
clawlike  fingers  counted  the  golden  pieces  of 
the  reward  which  had  been  offered  to  any  one 
who  could  throw  light  on  the  death  of  the 
Conte  Alfonso,  or  the  night  attack  upon  the 
Abbess  and  her  train. 

His  lips  had  taken  those  thin  lines  of  utter 
heartlessness  which  members  of  the  feline  tribes 
display  when  their  helpless  victim  lies  within 
reach  of  their  paw. 

I  knocked  down  the  sword-hilt,  whereon 
two  of  the  soldiers  seized  me  roughly,  and  I 
should  have  fared  badly  but  that  their  Captain 
called  out :  "  And  are  the  Duca  Visconti's 
words  so  soon  forgotten  ?  Is  he  a  man  to 
forgive  those  who  dare  to  exceed  his  orders  ? " 


TESTORE  83 

Immediately  I  was  released,  and  turned  to 
him  who  had  saved  me  from  much  rude 
handling. 

"  I  thank  thee,"  I  said,  holding  out  my  hand 
which  he  grasped  firmly,  whilst  he  replied  : 
"Till  a  man  is  proved  guilty,  I  hold  him 
innocent ;  nevertheless,  you  must  ride  with 
me,  for  such  is  the  command  of  our  Duke." 

The  Captain's  men  had  fallen  back,  but  the 
evil-looking  spy  scowled  angrily  at  the  cour- 
teous way  in  which  the  officer  had  addressed 
me,  whereon  he  bade  him  begone. 

"You  have  done  your  part,"  said  he,  "and 
the  quicker  we  are  freed  of  your  presence, 
the  sooner  will  be  the  air  we  breathe  the 
purer." 

Then  he,  who  had  spied  on  me  to  my 
undoing,  elbowed  his  way  out,  for  the  crowd 
still  clustered  round  the  threshold.  My 
mother,  loudly  weeping,  called  upon  all  the 
saints,  and  martyrs  to  deliver  me.  My  eyes 
sought  for  my  cousin  ;  but,  alas,  he  was  not 
there. 

The  Captain  now  took  me  by  the  arm. 

"You  will  come  with  us  quietly,"  said  he, 
"for  thus  it  will  be  better  for  all." 

For  answer  I  bowed. 

"  We  may  not  tarry,"  added  he. 


84  TESTORE 

I  gazed  well  around  the  room  ere  I  asked  : 
"  Where  do  you  take  me  ? " 

"  Straightway  to  the  Duca  Visconti's  palace. 
We  are  to  proceed  thither  swiftly,  and  with 
as  little  delay  as  possible." 

I  turned  to  say  farewell  to  my  mother,  who, 
flinging  her  arms  around  my  neck,  still  sobbed 
wildly.  I  comforted  her  as  well  as  I  could. 

"  Courage,"  I  said  to  her,  "  and  remember." 

I  dare  not  say  more,  but  she,  checking  with 
a  tremendous  effort  her  outburst  of  grief, 
pushed  the  curls  back  from  my  brow,  and 
kissing  me,  whispered  so  that  none  might 
hear  :  "  I  will  not  forget  thy  words." 

The  soldiers,  hardened  men  of  war,  grew 
impatient,  and  would  have  made  us  the  butt 
of  their  jests,  had  not  their  Captain's  eye 
held  them  in  restraint. 

Putting  my  mother  from  me,  I  walked 
unsteadily  without.  Two  horses  were  led 
forward,  one  of  which  I  mounted,  and  the 
other,  the  officer,  who,  placing  his  hand  on 
my  bridle,  said  :  "  I,  too,  must  obey  the 
Grand  Duke." 


CHAPTER   X 

OUR  way  lay  through  Milano,  the  rabble 
following  at  our  heels  till  we  were  well  with- 
out the  city.  "From  time  to  time  the  Captain 
observed  me  closely,  but  not  for  a  great 
while  did  either  of  us  speak.  Probaby  he 
expected  that  I  would  question  him  as  to 
the  cause  of  my  arrest,  but  all  my  life  I  ever 
kept  a  silent  tongue  concerning  that  which 
weighed  the  most  upon  my  mind. 

Into  the  late  evening  we  rode  ;  then  halted 
we  at  an  inn  where  preparations  had  been 
made  to  receive  us,  for  a  table  laden  with 
viands  and  wine  awaited  us. 

I  slept  that  night  in  a  bed  which  was  also 
shared  by  my  jailer.  The  window  of  the 
room  was  small,  and  barred.  Locking  the 
door,  the  Captain  placed  the  key  under  his 
pillow. 

I    had    supped    well,    and    the    wine    had 

lightened  my  heart.     Ere  turning  on   my  side 

to   sleep,   I   said    laughingly :    "  Art    thou    not 

afraid   lest    I    murder   thee   whilst    thou    dost 

85 


86  TESTORE 

slumber  for  thus  I  could  secure  the  key,  and 
escape  ? " 

"  Nay,"  answered  he  quietly,  "  thou  wilt 
do  neither.  Naught  fear  I  at  thy  hand,  for 
thou  art  not  of  the  manner  of  men  who  love 
to  commit  cold-blooded  murder,  even  though 
we  have  not  deprived  thee  of  thy  weapons." 

It  may  be  that  a  drug  had  been  placed  in  my 
drink  for  I  speedily  fell  asleep,  and  slept  so 
soundly  that  1  awoke  not  till  I  had  been  rudely 
shaken  many  times;  even  when  I  struggled  to 
lift  my  eyelids,  I  had  but  a  confused  remem- 
brance of  all  that  had  passed.  Now  heard  I 
one  laugh  gaily,  then  came  the  words,  "  What 
about  murdering  me,  and  flight  ? " 

Fully  awakened,  I  sprang  to  my  feet.  Again 
my  jailer  laughed,  yet  we  were  fast  becoming 
friends.  Hastily  we  brake  our  fast,  for  the 
horses  were  already  saddled.  That  day  we 
rode  so  hard,  that  nightfall  saw  our  journey 
done. 

Our  steeds  breathed  heavily,  their  flanks 
were  bespattered  with  flecks  of  foam  as  we 
entered  into  the  courtyard  of  the  Duca's 
Palace. 

There  the  Captain  and  I  parted.  Another 
officer  led  me  along  many  passages  till  at 
length  we  came  to  a  door,  so  hidden  by 


TESTORE  87 

overhanging  tapestry  as  to  be  quite  concealed 
from  view. 

A  man  in  waiting  there  drew  a  key  from  his 
belt,  lifted  the  curtain  aside,  and,  unlocking, 
bade  me  enter. 

Instead  of  the  dingy  cell  which  I  had 
expected,  and  feared,  I  found  myself  amid 
luxurious  surroundings.  An  inner  door  set 
wide  ajar  revealed  the  delights  of  a  bath,  and  a 
couch,  whilst  the  apartment  in  which  I  stood, 
contained  besides  the  costly  appointments  which 
had  so  surprised  me,  a  table  laden  with  deli- 
cacies. The  sentinel  gave  no  sign  that  he  was 
aware  of  my  astonishment. 

"  His  Eccellenza  will  see  thee  presently, 
therefore  I  return  soon  to  conduct  thee  to  him. 

Meanwhile "  he  glanced  at  my  travel-stained 

garments.  I  comprehended  the  look,  and 
instantly  replied,  "  I  shall  be  ready  when  thou 
dost  come  for  me."  And,  indeed,  I  was  eager 
to  be  rid  of  the  dust  of  the  highway. 

At  the  appointed  time  1  followed  my  guide 
along  winding  passages  until  he  left  me  in  the 
charge  of  one  who  silently  accompanied  me  to 
the  door  of  the  chamber  wherein  the  Duca 
Visconti  awaited  my  coming. 

Here  he  knocked,  and  we  were  bidden  to 
enter.  On  a  massively  carved  chair,  his  feet 


88  TESTORE 

resting  on  a  stool  resplendent  with  jewels,  sat 
the  Grand  Duke.  Before  him  slumbered  a 
huge  hound,  and  across  his  knees  lay  the  fiddle 
which  1  had  taken  to  him  that  awful  time  when 
my  heart  was  torn  with  grief  for  la  mia  bimba, 
whom  I  had  left  at  the  point  of  death. 

He  dismissed  the  officer,  bidding  him  wait 
without. 

And  I  stood  alone  before  the  man  who  could 
condemn  me  to  the  miseries  of  a  dungeon,  or 
even  take  my  life. 

For  some  seconds  he  spoke  not,  only  he 
looked  on  me  fixedly  with  his  keen  dark  eyes ; 
his  gaze  expressed  gravity,  but  not  anger. 

"  These  are  strange  tales  I  hear  concerning 
thee,"  said  he  at  length. 

Naught  of  the  judge  was  in  his  tones,  but  I 
remained  silent  for  he  had  more  to  say. 

"And  what  made  thee  forsake  thy  craft 
to  become  an  offender  against  the  State  and 
Church  ?  The  punishment  of  the  one  I  have 
power  to  exact,  or  withhold,  but  for  the 
other " 

Then  I  remembered  that  his  brother  was  a 
Cardinal.  My  heart  sank,  but  I  lowered  not 
my  eyes,  and,  since  I  dare  not  ask  aught,  I  held 
my  tongue. 

The  great  beast  arose,  and  fawned  on  me; 


TESTORE  89 

standing  on  his  hind  legs,  he  placed  his  fore- 
paws  on  my  shoulders,  and  licked  me  lovingly 
with  his  huge  tongue. 

"  Down,  sirrah,  down  !  " 

Immediately  the  dog  obeyed  his  master,  only 
he  crouched  low  at  my  feet. 

The  air  of  the  room  was  oppressive ;  my  head 
throbbed,  my  limbs  ached,  but  still  the  Grand 
Duke  watched  my  countenance,  his  chin  resting 
on  the  palm  of  his  hand.  Then,  arising  he 
paced  the  floor  uneasily.  Then,  pausing  before 
me,  he  scanned  my  face  again,  and  this  time  pity 
was  clearly  written  in  his  eyes.  He  laid  his 
hand  on  my  shoulder,  saying  sadly,  "  Our  love 
of  music  unites  us.  I  would  that  I  could 
deliver  thee  from  this  trial,  for  to-morrow  thou 
wilt  be  summoned  before  the  Council.  After- 
wards, we  proceed  to  Rome,  and  it  is  there  that 
I  fear  most  for  thee." 

I  essayed  to  speak,  but  he  shook  his  head. 

"  It  is  wiser  that  thou  shouldst  say  naught  to 
me.  To-night  I  am  thy  friend,  to-morrow  I 
shall  be  but  one  among  thy  many  judges." 

He  summoned  his  attendant,  but,  as  I  turned 
to  go,  I  think  he  read  in  my  face  the  gratitude 
which  I  dare  not  express  in  words.  Alone  once 
more  I  flung  off  the  courtly  apparel,  and  sought 
my  couch  but  it  was  dawn  ere  I  slept,  and  then 


9o  TESTORE 

I  slumbered  heavily  until  aroused  by  my  jailer 
who  handed  me  a  note  which  contained  these 
words — 

"  A  friend  is  on  his  way  to  Rome." 

The  handwriting  was  that  of  my  cousin 
Francesco. 

The  promptness  of  his  action,  together  with 
the  kind  thought  of  thus  sending  me  news  that 
my  plea  was  on  its  way  to  the  Vatican,  pleased 
me  greatly,  for  no  time  had  been  lost.  This 
message  must  have  followed  on  our  heels.  It 
was  not  till  long  afterwards  that  I  knew  how 
good  a  friend  the  Captain  had  proved  himself 
to  be,  for  it  was  owing  to  him  that  this  missive 
had  been  passed  on  to  me.  He  had  been  on 
watch  at  the  Palace  Gate  when  the  messenger 
had  presented  it,  pleading  that  it  should  be 
given  to  me.  Thus  was  I  saved  much  suspense, 
and  was  thereby  enabled  to  bear  myself  with 
courage  before  my  judges. 

No  noise  from  the  outside  world  penetrated 
my  prison.  After  I  had  dressed,  and  partaken 
of  some  food,  my  jailer  entered  again. 

"  His  Eccellenza  has  sent  me  to  ask  if  there 
is  aught  you  desire  ?  " 

"  Only  my  freedom,"  answered  I,  "  yet  since 
that  can  not  be,  some  music  would  solace  these 
tedious  hours." 


TESTORE  91 

The  man  withdrew,  and  I  fell  to  pacing  the 
floor  with  bent  head,  and  hands  whose  fingers 
were  tightly  interlaced,  behind  my  back.  Soon 
he  returned,  and  with  him  a  page  who  bore 
upon  a  cushion,  a  fiddle  and  a  bow.  Eagerly  I 
seized  them,  and,  in  the  outpouring  of  my 
pent-up  feelings,  I  forgot  for  the  time  my  fears. 
I  paused  but  to  rest,  or  to  drink.  At  last  the 
hour  came  for  me  to  be  conducted  to  the 
Council  Chamber.  Even  then  I  would  not 
part  with  my  friend,  but  retained  my  hold 
on  it. 

The  way  was  lined  with  soldiers.  So  many, 
thought  1,  to  guard  one  poor  fiddle-maker. 

A  hush  fell  on  the  assembly  as  I  entered  and 
took  the  place  assigned  to  me  at  the  end  of  a 
long  table,  in  which  position  I  found  myself  in 
the  full  light,  while  my  judges  sat  in  the  shade. 
The  Duca  Visconti  faced  me.  He  kept  his 
eyes  fixed  downwards  and  his  fingers  toyed  with 
his  seal. 

The  faces  of  all  present  were  known  to  me 
save  that  of  the  Cardinal,  who  was  seated  on 
the  right  hand  of  his  brother. 

No  one  spoke,  but  by  the  glances  cast  at  the 
door  I  perceived  that  they  awaited  for  some 
one.  For  whom  ?  I,  too,  directed  my  gaze 
towards  it  and,  almost  immediately,  appeared 


92 


TESTORE 


the  man  in  green,  only  now  he  wore  a  black 
cloak  which,  covering  him  from  head  to  foot, 
intensified  the  pallor  of  his  countenance.  Low 
bowed  he  to  all,  but  at  me  he  smiled  maliciously. 
The  Duca  Visconti  raised  his  head,  and  curtly 
spoke. 

"  Let  the  accuser  state  his  accusation." 

The  spy,  narrowing  his  eyes  till  they  were 
but  mere  slits,  cringingly  answered,  "  Eccel- 
lenza,  you  see  in  me  a  zealous  son  of  Mother 
Church.  For  years  I  have  served  in  the  house- 
hold of  the  Conte  Alfonso.  We  were  foster- 
brothers,  and  as  babes  slept  in  the  same  cradle, 
but  when  1  had  attained  to  manhood,  I  took 
my  place  at  his  side  as  his  faithful  serving-man. 
I  knew  of  his  love  for  the  Principessa  Elvira  di 
Florenza,  since  many  were  the  missives  that  I 
bore  from  him  to  her." 

He  paused,  eyeing  the  Council  dubiously, 
as  if  uncertain  whether  to  proceed,  but  his 
Eminenza  bade  him  continue. 

So  the  man  went  on,  only  now  his  voice 
faltered  and  trembled. 

"A  quarrel  arose  between  my  master  and 
Ferdinand  di  Milano,  who  wished  to  be 
betrothed  to  the  Principessa." 

I  became  deadly  pale  at  the  hearing  of  these 
words,  for  Ferdinand  di  Milano  was  the 


TESTORE  93 

nephew  of  the  Grand  Duke,  and  a  man  whom 
none  dared  to  thwart  in  any  of  his  desires. 

"  Now  the  Conte  Alfonso  swore  an  oath  of 
vengeance  when  he  knew  he  had  so  great  a 
rival,  and,  therefore,  he  prevailed  upon  the 
Principessa  to  keep  tryst  with  him  without 
Milano,  and " 

But  here  the  Duca  Visconti  interposed. 

"  Your  statement  is  too  lengthy.  It  is  not 
our  wish  to  remain  long  listening  to  one  fitted 
only  to  conspire  with  knaves.  Signore,"  said 
he,  turning  to  one  of  the  Council,  "  is  it 
your  will  h  at  I  question  both  accuser  and 
accused  ?  '\ 

He,  thus  addressed,  consented  ;  but  his 
Eminenza  looked  askance  at  his  brother. 

Turning  to  the  spy  the  Duca  asked  him  his 
name. 

"  Tomaso,  Eccellenza." 

"  And  your  age  ?  " 

"  Eccellenza,  I  am  scarce  twenty-three." 

"  And  your  accusation  against  Carlo  Giu- 
seppe Testore,  fiddle-maker  of  Milano  ?  " 

Tomaso,  raising  his  eyes,  darted  a  look  of 
vindictive  hate  at  me. 

"  Eccellenza,  he  murdered  my  master  and 
then  ran  off  with  the  Principessa,  who,  how- 
ever, escaped  from  him  and  sought  shelter  in 


94  TESTORE 

the  Convent  of  the  Holy  Mother.  Afterwards, 
when  this  building  was  burnt  to  the  ground, 
and  the  Principessa,  in  the  charge  of  the 
Abbess  and  her  nuns,  was  on  her  way  to 
Naples,  he,  with  the  aid  of  the  devil,  captured 
her  anew,  and  now  he  withholds  from  all  the 
knowledge  of  her  present  place  of  abode." 

I  checked  the  hasty  exclamations,  "  Liar  ! 
Dog  !  "  which  rose  to  my  lips,  for  the  Duca 
had  turned  to  me. 

"  Plead  you  guilty  or  no  to  these  accusa- 
tions ? " 

I  faced  my  judges  boldly. 

"  In  so  far  as  murdering  the  Conte  Alfonso 
the  accusation  is  unjust,  for  he  met  his  death 
in  fair  fight." 

And  I  related  all  that  had  passed  on  that 
hot  July  afternoon  so  long  ago. 

"  Canst  thou  swear  that  thou  knewest  neither 
the  rank  nor  the  name  of  the  lady  when  thou 
hadst  left  her  at  the  convent  gate  ? " 

"  Eccellenza,  I  can  swear  to  it." 

"How  came  you  to  meet  with  her  after- 
wards ? " 

I  dare  not  hesitate,  but  answered  promptly. 
'The  cortege  in  which  the  Principessa  left 
Milano  was   attacked   by  a  band  of  men.      I 
could  not  save  all.     She  was  the  first  I  chanced 


TESTORE  95 

upon,  and  I  forced  her  to  accept  my  escort  to 
a  place  of  safety." 

"  Where  did  you  leave  her  ? " 

"  We  rode  until  dawn,  when  we  met  a 
peasant  and  his  wife  :  these  the  Principessa 
joined.  They  were  her  friends,  and  I  left  her 
in  their  care.  Of  subsequent  events  I  know 
naught." 

His  Eminenza,  the  Cardinal,  had  listened 
silently  to  my  words,  and,  when  I  paused,  he 
spoke. 

"  Can  you  prove  that  you  have  wandered 
far  and  late  at  other  times  ?  " 

"Eminenza,  I  can,  for  1  have  ever  been 
prone  to  these  fits  of  wanderings,  which  often 
last  for  days." 

Evil,  indeed,  was  the  look  that  Tomaso  cast 
at  me.  He  liked  not  my  statements,  neither 
the  way  in  which  the  Council  received  them. 

His  Eminenza  coughed.  "  Why  did  the 
robbers  not  turn  on  you  ? " 

"  Eminenza,"  I  answered  simply,  "  I  am  a 
poor  man,  and  but  a  maker  of  fiddles,  there- 
fore I  carry  naught  that  is  of  value.  My 
friends  are  many  among  those  tribes  who  dwell 
not  in  cities  but  beneath  the  open  sky,  and 
these,  nothing  loth  to  share  the  contents  of 
a  rich  man's  purse,  willingly  give  a  crust  of 


96  TESTORE 

bread,  if  nothing  more,  to  Carlo  Giuseppe 
Testore  in  return  for  his  music." 

His  Eminenza  coughed.  Rumour  spoke  of 
a  rough  handling  he  had  once  received  from 
certain  of  these  my  friends,  and  notes  are 
wanting  regarding  his  courage  on  that  occasion. 

"  You  can  swear  that  you  know  naught 
further  of  the  Principessa,  save  that  you 
escorted  her  till  she  fell  in  with  her  peasant 
friends." 

"  Eminenza,  I  swear  it." 

"  Now,  babbler,"  said  he,  turning  angrily  to 
Tomaso,  "  saw  you  the  fight  between  your 
master  and  this  man  ? " 

The  spy's  countenance  changed.  He  had 
counted  me  a  coward.  My  words  and  de- 
meanour under  the  tree  that  afternoon,  when 
he  spied  upon  me,  had  confirmed  his  suspicions, 
and  his  mean  soul  had  deemed  it  easy  to  win 
the  reward. 

"  I  had  true  information,  Eminenza,"  he 
stammered. 

"  From  an  eye-witness  ?  " 

It  was  the  Duca  Visconti  who  now  spoke  in 
cold  tones. 

Tomaso's  trembling  "  No "  was  received 
with  anger,  and  a  command  to  speak  clearly. 

Yet  he  mumbled  still  lower,  while  his  face 


TESTORE  97 

flushed   and    paled,  and  beads  of   fear  oozed 
forth  from  his  sallow  skin. 

A  light  dawned  upon  me.  This  knave's 
suspicions  had  been  verified  by  my  strange 
behaviour  under  his  magnetic  power.  But 
why  did  he  not  exert  it  now  ?  Why  should 
I  be  calm,  and  he  so  cowardly  in  speech  and 
manner  ?  When  he  had  ceased  his  mutterings 
I  craved  permission  to  speak,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  relate  the  words  and  conduct  of 
the  spy  on  that  afternoon  when  I  had  been 
impelled  to  react  again  the  doings  of  that  day 
on  which  the  Conte  Alfonso  had  been  slain  by 
my  hand. 

"  Sorcerer  !  Sorcerer  !  "  one  and  more  called 
out,  for  the  times  were  superstitious,  and  all 
unaccountable  happenings  were  deemed  the 
work  of  the  devil,  or  of  his  satellites,  disguised 
in  the  form  of  a  man  or  a  woman.  He  whom 
they  termed  "  Sorcerer  "  shook  exceedingly,  for 
strange  and  cruel  were  the  deaths  that  had 
been  meted  out  to  those  who  were  known  by 
this  accursed  name. 

Quickly,  however,  the  Council  recovered 
from  their  excitement  and  added  more  notes 
to  their  manuscripts.  His  Eminenza  opened 
his  mouth  to  speak,  but  his  brother  had  arisen, 
saying,  "  We  have  heard  enough  for  to-day." 


98  TESTORE 

In  obedience  to  his  gesture  the  soldiers 
closed  around  the  man  in  green,  the  Captain 
of  whom  was  bidden  to  see  that  chains  were 
immediately  fastened  upon  him,  and  that 
should  he  escape  his  jailer's  life  would  be 
forfeited. 

Now  the  Duca,  turning  to  the  Cardinal,  who 
sat  with  lips  compressed  and  eyes  half  closed, 
begged  him  to  purify  the  air  of  the  room  by 
a  prayer. 

Then,  addressing  me,  he  added,  "  I  see  not 
the  reason  why  this  matter  should  be  carried 
to  Rome  ;  yet  since  the  Church  commands 
that  you  shall  be  there  judged  of  these  certain 
offences,  we  proceed  hither  on  the  morrow. 
One  of  my  men  shall  attend  you  so  that  you 
can  give  him  directions  as  to  how  we  can 
summon  thy  witnesses." 

Silently  I  bowed  ;  and,  once  more,  that 
which  my  tongue  dare  not  utter,  my  eyes,  I 
hope,  expressed,  for  now  I  knew  that  the 
Grand  Duke  stood  my  friend. 

Again  within  the  chamber  I  prepared  the 
missives  for  the  messenger.  This  done,  I 
paced  the  floor,  my  mind  full  of  the  incidents 
of  the  last  hour. 

Remorse  filled  my  heart.  My  punishment 
had  already  begun,  not  waiting  for  the  hand 


TESTORE  99 

of  man  to  mete  out  chastisement.  I  was  a 
liar  ;  inasmuch  as  I  had  withheld  facts  which 
would  have  laid  bare  my  wild  intentions.  That 
man  is  a  coward  who  seeks  to  avoid  the  conse- 
quences of  his  sins  ;  yet,  at  all  costs,  I  must 
shield  my  beautiful  lady,  keeping  inviolate  her 
dear  secret. 

Long  it  was  before  this  conflict  within  me 
ceased,  and  evening  found  me  still  striding  up 
and  down  till,  wearied  out  at  length,  I  flung 
myself  upon  my  couch  and  sank  into  a  deep 
slumber,  from  which  I  was  awakened  by  my 
jailer,  who  had  shaken  many  times  before  he 
had  fully  aroused  me. 

"  But  lightly  lie  thy  sins  on  thee,"  said  he, 
when  he  had  succeeded  in  making  me  open 
my  eyes.  "  Thou  must  attire  thyself  speedily, 
for  we  leave  for  Rome." 

The  heaviness  of  my  eyelids  fled.  I  was 
wide  awake  and  eager  to  be  on  the  road,  for 
at  the  Vatican  I  should  learn  what  Fate  had 
in  store  for  me. 

"  Does  my  accuser  travel  likewise  with  us  ? " 
I  queried,  and  the  man  replied,  "  Yes."  Then, 
reminding  me  that  I  must  ride  soon,  he 
left  me. 

The  Vatican  !  My  thoughts  flew  to  my 
misshapen  friend.  Who  was  he  ?  Wherein 


ioo  TESTORE 

lay  his  marvellous  power  ?  Why  fixed  I  my 
hope  so  in  him  ?  His  riches  I  doubted  not, 
for  my  eyes  had  beheld  them. 

Ah,  that  journey  !  Slowly  we  travelled, 
resting  each  night  at  some  inn,  where  we  were 
always  expected,-  since  many  comforts  ever 
awaited  us  ;  nor  was  this  strange,  seeing  that 
couriers  were  sent  forward  each  morning  to 
announce  our  approach.  Often  the  Cardinal 
would  urge  his  brother  to  ride  with  more 
despatch,  but  the  Duca  Visconti  heeded  not 
his  words. 

And  I  rejoiced  inwardly,  for  this  delay 
would  enable  my  friends  to  reach  Rome  in 
time  for  my  trial. 

At  length  the  city  lay  before  us,  and  my 
heart,  sustained  with  hope  till  now,  sank 
in  utter  despair  as  we  rode  through  its 
streets. 

Without  the  Vatican  many  soldiers  awaited 
us,  and  the  Duca  with  his  retinue  was  received 
by  an  officer  resplendent  in  scarlet  and  gold. 
As  for  me  and  my  escort,  we  were  met  by 
two  solemn-faced  priests,  who  brought  us  to 
another  entrance,  through  which  we  passed 
down  a  dreary  hall  into  a  cold,  bare  apartment 
which  contained  naught  save  a  table,  a  solitary 
chair,  and  a  couch. 


TESTORE  101 

Here  they  left  me,  and  now,  indeed,  I  was  a 
prisoner  and  helpless. 

Sinking  into  the  chair,  I  buried  my  face  in 
my  hands,  whilst  hot  tears  fell  unchecked, 
nor  felt  I  any  shame,  for  a  man  is  no  less  a 
man  because  he  cannot  always  suppress  his 
emotions. 

All  that  night  I  lay  awake  with  memories  of 
the  past  and  fears  for  the  future  as  my  com- 
panions, so  that  when  I  arose  it  was  with  a 
weary  frame  and  a  heavy  head. 

At  noon  the  soldier  placed  in  charge  of  me 
entered,  and  made  known  to  me  that  one  was 
on  his  way  to  speak  to  me.  His  manner  was 
friendly,  and  feeling  concern  for  my  wan  ap- 
pearance, he  persuaded  me  to  drink  some  wine 
and  to  eat  somewhat  of  the  viands  which  he 
had  brought  with  him. 

Soon  my  door  was  opened  again  to  admit  no 
less  than  a  Vescovo,  attended  by  several  priests. 
I  rejoiced  greatly  that  the  Duca's  brother, 
the  Cardinal,  had  not  accompanied  him.  He 
acknowledged  my  bow  with  a  slight  inclination 
of  the  head.  Seating  himself  in  the  one  chair, 
his  attendants  grouped  themselves  on  either 
side  of  him. 

Opening  a  book  which  he  held  in  his  hand, 
he  took  from  thence  a  slip  of  paper,  which  he 


102  TESTORE 

gave  to  me.  As  my  eyes  saw  the  writing 
thereon  I  trembled,  for  it  was  my  plea  for  help 
which  had  indeed  reached  the  Vatican,  but  I 
knew  not  yet  if  the  one  for  whom  I  had 
intended  it  had  seen  it. 

Quickly  beat  my  heart,  a  mist  rose  betwixt 
me  and  the  forms  before  me,  so  that  I  had  to 
lean  on  the  table  for  support.  A  voice  I  heard, 
but  my  confused  senses  failed  to  grasp  the 
import  of  the  words,  but  when  I  recovered 
myself  1  became  aware  that  my  visitor  was 
regarding  me  intently. 

"Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore,"  said  he,  "art 
thou  prepared  to  swear  on  thy  most  solemn 
oath  that  thou  knowest  not  the  abode  of  the 
Principessa  Elvira  di  Florenza?" 

Without  hesitation  I  replied,  "  I  am." 

"To-morrow  thou  mayst  be  called  upon  to 
take  an  oath  to  this  effect  before  the  High 
Altar.  A  friend  has  intervened  for  thee,  so  it 
may  be  that  thou  wilt  be  free  to  return  to  thy 
home  within  a  few  hours." 

Only  a  caged  bird  or  a  mouse,  neither  of 
which  ever  grows  entirely  accustomed  to  their 
imprisoning  bars,  however  great  the  kindness 
lavished  upon  them,  could  have  understood  my 
feelings  at  that  moment.  I  tried  to  speak,  but 
the  words  became  confused  in  the  very  utter- 


TESTORE  103 

ance.  I  could  but  bend  and  kiss  his  Eminenza's 
hand. 

"  My  son,"  added  he,  "  thou  art  not  yet 
free,  though  methinks  all  points  to  that  happy 
ending." 

He  placed  his  hand  somewhat  caressingly 
on  my  shoulder. 

"A  great  man  whose  name  must  remain 
unknown  to  thee,  has  assured  us  that  thou  art 
innocent  of  any  intent  to  offend  Holy  Church. 
His  will  dominates  many  courts.  Even  II 
Santo  Padre  oft  heeds  that  he  may  say.  It  is 
at  his  request  that  I  have  come  to  speak  with 
thee.  Thy  face  and  demeanour  are  in  thy 
favour.  My  son,  if  thou  art  wise,  thou  wilt 
leave  Rome  as  soon  as  thy  trial  is  over,  for  the 
air  here  is  dangerous  for  certain  sicknesses." 

He  tightened  his  grasp,  and  his  voice  rang 
with  true  friendliness. 

"  Never  more,"  said  I,  "  shall  Holy  Church 
have  cause  to  look  with  anger  on  her  erring 
son." 

For,  as  I  had  been  impelled  to  enter  into  II 
Duomo  that  day  on  which  1  had  received  that 
missive  from  my  beautiful  lady  that  had  led  to 
so  much,  so  now  the  same  power  dominated 
me,  and  a  yearning,  voiceless  but  strong,  seized 
me  in  its  grip. 


io4  TESTORE 

"  Eminenza,  I  have  been  wayward,  but  only 
through  heedlessness.  I  am  willing  to  think 
on  these  things." 

The  eyes  of  the  Vescovo  searched  mine  ; 
then  he  pointed  to  the  word  upon  the  paper 
which  he  had  handed  to  me. 

"  See,  my  son,"  said  he,  "  the  omen  is  good. 
This  sustained  thy  hope,  raising  for  thee  one 
who  gave  to  thee  the  succour  thou  didst  need. 
Take  it,  then,  for  thy  motto,  remembering  that 
it  means,  this  sure  and  certain  hope  in  life 
hereafter,  for  the  day  comes  to  all  when  they 
must  lay  aside  their  earthly  body." 

He  paused  awhile,  then  continued,  "  If  thou 
dost  truly  desire  it,  we  will  speak  again  ere 
thou  dost  depart." 

He  arose,  and  I  knelt  to  receive  his  blessing, 
and  as  he  placed  his  hand  on  my  head,  the 
seed  of  belief  sprang  to  birth  in  my  heart,  and 
long  after  he  had  gone  I  remained  on  my 
knees,  motionless  and  full  of  thought. 

No  man  to  whom  a  great  gift  has  been 
given  can  deny  the  everlasting  nature  of  that 
talent.  He  knows  that  it  cannot  die,  for 
within  him  is  a  spark  which  will  not  be 
quenched,  however  much  he  may  blind  himself 
to  the  existence  of  those  powers  which  guide 
all  mankind.  And  thus  it  was  with  me.  That 


TESTORE  105 

spark,  dulled  for  many  years,  had  been  kept 
alive  through  my  love  for  Fanciullina.  Sorrow, 
death,  disappointment,  had  but  fanned  it  to 
greater  strength,  and  now  a  prisoner  in  a 
strange  city,  it  flamed  forth  suddenly,  bringing 
to  birth  hopes  to  uphold  one  through  the 
struggles  of  earth-life. 

My  reckless  deeds  of  the  past  years  I  could 
not  wipe  away,  nor  could  I  change  myself 
entirely.  Testore  I  was,  and  Testore  I  must 
remain,  but  Life,  Love,  would  have  for  me  a 
purer,  higher  meaning.  I  would  not  mock 
again  at  Holy  Church  for  the  sake  of  this  man 
who  had  exerted  so  good  an  influence  upon 
me.  La  mia  bimba  and  Angela  mio  were  not 
lost  to  me. 

Dark  and  darker  became  the  room.  The 
soldier  entered  with  a  lamp,  but  I  would  not 
let  him  set  it  down.  All  night  long  my 
thoughts  thronged  and  crowded  within  me, 
till  worn  out  I  yearned  for  cessation  from 
the  turmoil,  and  Nature,  ever  careful  of  her 
children,  sent  a  sleep  that  lasted  till  close  upon 
the  hour  of  my  trial. 


CHAPTER   XI 

IT  was  a  magnificent  apartment  into  which  I 
was  ushered.  A  table  of  carved  oak,  long  and 
narrow,  occupied  the  middle  of  the  room. 
On  tall-backed  chairs  sat  my  judges.  The 
Vescovo  was  amongst  them,  but  neither  the 
Duca  Visconti,  nor  his  brother,  the  Cardinal, 
were  present.  Again  all  eyes  were  turned  on 
me  as  I  entered.  Those  who  had  escorted  me 
hither,  were  dismissed  and  many  questions 
were  asked  of  me  to  all  of  which  I  could  reply 
easily. 

My  examination  over,  the  door  opened  to 
admit  of  the  priest  to  whom  I  had  so  rashly 
spoken.  A  soldier  on  either  side  guided  his 
steps  as  he  advanced,  swallowing  his  fear  in 
great  gulps. 

"  Don  Nicolo,  we  want  thy  allegations 
against  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore,  the  fiddle- 
maker  of  Milano." 

He  who  thus  addressed  the  priest,  spake  in 
a  clear  but  hard  tone. 

The  Reverendo's  lips  twitched,  his  red  face 
106 


TESTORE  107 

grew  mottled,  the  few  words  which  he  essayed 
to  utter,  were  confused  and  indistinct. 

Gazing  at  him,  his  interrogator  said  mock- 
ingly, "  It  may  be  that  Don  Nicolo  is  weary 
from  his  long  and  sudden  journey.  We  hear 
that  thou  hast  but  now  arrived,"  he  added, 
turning  to  the  miserable  man. 

"  But  an  hour  ago,  Eminenza,"  stammered 
he. 

"And,  doubtless,  thou  who  dost  serve  thy 
church  so  well  ate  but  little  by  the  way. 
Soldier  !  a  goblet  of  wine  !  " 

Almost  immediately  it  was  brought,  and 
handed  to  the  priest  whose  misery  and  fear 
grew  apace. 

Poor  Don  Nicolo  !  He  dreaded  drinking, 
yet  he  dare  not  refuse.  He  took  the  goblet, 
but  so  much  his  hand  shook  that  several 
drops  fell  to  the  floor,  some  journeying  there 
by  way  of  his  cassock. 

Again  he  tried  to  speak,  then  overcome  by 
fright,  he  fell  on  his  knees  before  the  Vescovo. 

"  Eminenza,  I  have  no  accusation  against 
the  prisoner.  I  have  been  mistaken." 

"  Mistaken  !  "  repeated  this  one  scornfully, 
"  so  our  time  is  to  be  thus  wasted  through  thy 
folly.  Of  a  truth,  thou  hast  committed  a 
grave  blunder.  Mistaken  !  " 


i  o8  TESTORE 

Clearly  and  mockingly  his  voice  sounded 
through  the  chamber,  then  he  turned  to  me. 

"  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore,  this  cowardly 
groveller,  who  can  scarce  be  called  a  man  since 
his  behaviour  savours  that  of  a  beaten  cur, 
complained  to  us  that  thou  hadst  refused  to 
confess  to  him,  fearing  that  absolution  be 
denied  thee.  Therefore  we  deemed  thee 
guilty  of  some  great  sin." 

He  now  addressed  the  priest. 

"  Is  there  naught  of  the  man  left  in  you 
that  you  dare  not  face  him  whom  you  have  so 
unjustly  accused  ?  Shall  coward  as  well  as 
liar  be  writ  against  your  name  ?  Arise,  and 
let  us  hear  that  which  you  may  have  to  say." 

With  a  ponderous  effort,  Don  Nicolo  stood 
upright  upon  his  feet,  and  stammered  forth 
some  story  to  which  all  listened  with  but  scant 
patience. 

When  he  had  finished,  one  of  the  Council 
asked  me  whether  I  pleaded  guilty,  or  not,  to 
the  accusation. 

"  Don  Nicolo  speaks  the  truth,"  replied  I, 
"  in  so  far  as  I  did  say  to  him  that  a  matter  of 
heavy  weight  lay  on  my  mind  ;  and  although 
it  was  not  spoken  under  the  seal  of  confession, 
surely,  had  he  wished  to  aid  me,  he  would 
have  acted  differently." 


TESTORE  109 

"  And  what  so  sorely  troubled  you  ? " 

It  was  the  Vescovo  who  now  spoke,  and  his 
voice  was  cool  and  even. 

Calmly  I  made  answer,  "  It  was  the  death 
of  the  Conte  Alfonso." 

"  Your  plea  is  good,  friend  Testore.  Don 
Nicolo  has  shown  a  deplorable  lack  of  wisdom. 
Moreover,  he  has  proved  himself  to  be  a 
craven.  Rome  needs  not  such  to  serve  her." 
He  gave  the  poor  crestfallen  man  a  quick 
look  as  he  said  to  him  that  they  would  speak 
with  him  on  this  affair  at  some  other  time. 

The  soldiers  led  him  away,  and  with  his 
passing  from  that  room,  his  part  in  my  life 
came  to  a  close.  I  saw  him  no  more.  After- 
wards I  heard  that  he  had  been  sent  to  a 
monastery,  and  there  he  suffered  severe 
discipline. 

The  spy  was  now  brought  forward. 

They  attacked  him  at  once  on  a  charge  of 
sorcery,  and  when  he  found  that  it  was  useless 
to  seek  to  defend  himself,  he  begged  for 
mercy,  confessing  that  he  had  acted  mostly  on 
suspicion  ;  moreover,  he  had  been  spurred  on 
in  his  endeavours  to  harm  me  by  the  priest. 
Also  he  had  found  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  spot  where  the  Conte  Alfonso  had  met  his 
death,  a  small  saw  peculiar  to  the  art  of  fiddle- 


no  TESTORE 

making.  This  he  produced,  and  I  knew  it 
for  mine. 

Don  Nicolo  had  been  stirred  to  action  by 
hate  alone,  but  the  spy's  greedy  soul  had 
much  desired  the  reward  offered  by  the  Duca 
Visconti  to  him  who  should  deliver  to  him, 
either  the  person,  or  the  name,  of  the  man  who 
had  lifted  hand  against  the  Conte  Alfonso, 
and  who  had  dared  to  rob  the  Abbess  of  her 
charge,  the  Principessa  Elvira  di  Florenza. 

As  my  old  friend  in  green  proceeded  with 
his  tale,  I  became  hopeful,  for  I  felt  sure  that 
my  part  in  the  death  of  the  Conte  would  be 
condoned,  since  he  knew  too  much  for  the 
happiness  of  many,  yet  none  had  dared  to 
strike  at  him. 

Tomaso,  the  spy,  was  soon  dismissed  ;  and 
Caspar,  my  gypsy  friend,  gay  and  debonair, 
was  the  next  to  appear. 

He  gave  me  an  assuring  look,  bowed  to 
those  who  sat  around  the  Council  Table,  and 
awaited  their  pleasure.  An  oath  was  put  to 
him  which  he  took  without  hesitation,  and  to 
all  asked  of  him  regarding  my  wanderings,  he 
gave  satisfactory  explanations.  He,  too,  was 
speedily  dismissed. 

My  trial  was  over. 

Now  was  I  conducted  to  the  chapel,  where 


TESTORE  1 1 1 

my  oath  was  to  be  sworn.  It  was  lighted  by 
several  huge  candelabras  ;  the  altar  was  a  mass 
of  flowers,  and  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Host 
was  signified  by  the  mystic  red  light  which 
burnt  upon  it. 

Slowly  and  solemnly  I  repeated  these  words 
after  the  Vescovo — 

"  In  the  Name  of  our  Saviour  Who  died 
upon  the  Cross  for  us  ;  in  the  name  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of  our  Adored 
Lord  ;  by  the  lives  of  the  Holy  Apostles,  by 
these  bones  of  St.  Peter,  and  St.  John,  and 
Joseph  of  Arimathea  " — here  I  was  made  to 
place  my  hand  over  these  relics — "  and  by  the 
precious  names  of  St.  Gabriel,  St.  Michael,  and 
All  Holy  Angels,  I,  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore, 
do  most  solemnly  swear  that  I  have  lifted 
neither  hand,  nor  voice,  against  those  of  the 
One  True  Church,  represented  here  on  earth 
by  11  Santo  Padre. 

"And  I  do  promise  to  obey  from  hence- 
forth the  commands  of  Holy  Church. 

"  May  the  curse  of  everlasting  torment  be 
on  me  if  I  keep  not  this  oath  which  I  have 
sworn  this  day  before  the  sacred  altar." 

Now  followed  a  prayer  in  Latin,  after  which 
the  Vescovo,  placing  his  hand  on  my  head, 


ii2  TESTORE 

absolved  me.  As  his  words  died  away,  a  priest 
touched  me  on  the  arm,  bidding  me  accompany 
him.  Without  the  chapel  we  were  met  by 
one  who  delivered  a  low-spoken  message  to 
my  companion.  Placing  his  hand  again  upon 
my  arm,  but  this  time  in  a  tight  grasp,  he  said, 
"  II  Pontefice  wishes  to  see  thee.  Look  to 
it  that  thou  dost  bear  thyself  in  a  fitting 
manner." 

I  shook  myself  free  impatiently,  for  I  was  so 
weary,  and  yearned  to  be  alone. 

Along  passages,  through  chambers,  was  I  led, 
my  guide  being  constantly  changed  till,  at  last, 
one  robed  in  sombre  black,  relieved  only  by 
a  golden  crucifix,  took  me  in  charge,  and  he 
ushered  me  into  the  presence  of  II  Santo  Padre, 
who,  seated  in  a  chair  of  state,  held  an  open 
book  within  his  hand.  He  was  not  a  man  of 
great  stature.  His  pale  face  possessed  clearly- 
cut  features.  Great  power,  and  much  thought, 
lay  in  the  depths  of  his  eyes,  which  likewise 
had  a  kindly  light  in  them.  Much  awed,  I 
knelt,  for  there  was  something  majestic  about 
this  man,  on  whose  shoulders  lay  such  vast 
responsibilities. 

"  Rise,  my  son,"  said  he  ;  "  much  have  I 
heard  concerning  thee.  Thou  hast  rid  the 
Church  of  one  whom  time  would  have  proved 


TESTORE  113 

to  be  a  traitor.  Thus  Heaven  oft  raises  up  as 
an  instrument  of  help,  many  who  otherwise 
might  journey  through  the  space  of  life  allotted 
to  them  on  earth  without  having  fulfilled  their 
true  mission,  that  of  performing  an  action 
helpful  to  those  who  nurture  the  soul." 

He  paused,  but  I  was  speechless.  His  tones 
were  suave,  howbeit  I  fathomed  not  their 
meaning.  Ill  at  ease  in  mind  and  attitude,  I 
remained  with  bent  head  before  him. 

"  A  friend,"  continued  II  Pontifice,  "  whose 
name  thou  mayst  not  know,  petitioned  for 
thee.  We  owe  him  much,  therefore  we  have 
absolved  thee  of  certain  offences  against  us. 
And  we  command  thee  to  walk  warily  from 
henceforth,  for  our  eyes  see  all,  remembering 
that  we  pardon  but  once,  and  that  rarely. 

"  Go  in  peace,  my  son,  and  shun  those  who 
make  a  mock  of  sacred  things.  We  chastise 
but  to  save  the  soul  from  the  pangs  of  ever- 
lasting torments." 

Of  my  departure  from  that  august  presence 
1  have  no  remembrance,  though  all  else  remains 
clear  in  my  memory. 

Ere  I  left  the  Vatican,  I  had  a  long  talk 
with  the  Vescovo,  and  always  I  think  of  him 
with  affection  and  respect. 

At  length  I  was  at  liberty  to  turn  my  face 


n4  TESTORE 

homewards.  Without  in  the  court,  a  horse, 
saddled  and  bridled,  awaited  me.  An  escort, 
too,  had  been  appointed  to  accompany  me  on 
my  way,  whose  captain  gave  me  a  missive, 
which  when  opened  ran  as  follows — 

"  To  him  to  whom  I  owe  the  happiest  hours 
of  my  life. 

"  The  beast  is  yours  ;  keep  him  in  memory 
of  me. 

"These  men  will  conduct  you  safely  to 
within  sight  of  your  city.  Their  lives  pay 
forfeit  if  harm  befalls  you.  Their  duty  done, 
but  not  till  then,  give  to  their  leader  in  thy 
handwriting,  these  words — 

"  *  Ten  toes,  two  feet,  two  hands,  two  eyes.' 

"  By  this  I  shall  know  that  you  have  reached 
Milano  in  safety. 

"You  have  had  a  narrow  escape.  There 
are  worse  deaths  than  hanging  or  burning. 
Princesses  are  not  for  men  who  wear  neither 
ermine  nor  a  crown.  I  may  not  be  able  to  aid 
thee  again.  Our  path  in  life  divides  here. 
Resurgam." 


CHAPTER   XII 

OF  my  journey  homewards  there  is  naught 
worth  recording  save  the  events  of  one  day. 

We  had  halted  for  our  noon-day  meal  and 
rest,  and  I  had  strolled  a  short  way  from  the 
inn,  for  the  village  fascinated  me.  A  brook 
ran  down  one  side  of  the  street,  and  children, 
the  girls  resplendent  in  bright  kerchiefs,  were 
paddling  in  the  gurgling  water,  for  the  bed  of 
this  little  stream  was  stony.  Women,  young 
and  old,  sat  at  cottage  doors.  Afar  off  the 
mountains  looked  grim  against  the  sky,  and 
between  us  and  them  lay  a  verdant  land  of 
fruit  and  fields. 

Eagerly  my  eyes  gazed  on  this  scene,  for  the 
merry  voices  of  the  children  broke  my  moody 
silence,  so  that  I  even  laughed  and  chatted 
with  them.  A  bambino  fell,  and  I,  picking 
him  up,  carried  him  to  his  mother.  Kneeling 
down  I  comforted  him,  for  he  had  wounded 
slightly  his  chubby  knee.  His  tears  ceased, 
and  he  turned  to  his  mother,  saying, 
"5 


u6  TESTORE 

"  Madre  mia,  the  Signore  is  as  kind  to  me 
as  Sister  Marie." 

She  kissed  him,  then  bade  him  go  and  play. 

"  He  thinks  of  little  else  save  this  good  nun 
since  she  nursed  him  a  while  ago.  Everyone 
loves  her.  It  is  but  a  few  weeks  back  that  all 
our  children  were  stricken  by  a  fever,  and  she 
tended  to  them  at  the  peril  of  her  own  life. 
Many  a  little  one  returned  from  the  gate  of 
death  to  thank  her.  You  are  a  stranger  here, 
or  you  would  have  heard  of  the  wonders  she 
performed.  Look  !  " 

Rising,  she  pointed  to  the  distant  hills. 

"  Can  you  not  see  away  to  the  left  among 
the  trees  a  building  ?  That  is  the  convent 
where  Sister  Marie  lives.  She  has  not  been 
there  many  months,  for  she  came  to  visit  us 
scarce  a  week  ere  our  village  was  desolated  by 
the  plague." 

A  rush  of  blood  suffused  my  face,  then 
receding,  left  me  deadly  pale.  Alarmed,  the 
woman  inquired  if  I  were  ill.  And  when  I 
answered  that  I  was  but  hot  and  tired,  she 
begged  me  to  enter  her  little  home  and  there 
rest  awhile.  This  I  gladly  did,  for  I  saw  one 
of  the  escort,  as  was  ever  the  case  if  1  strayed 
too  far,  or  too  long,  sauntering  up  and  down 
the  street. 


TESTORE  117 

Within,  it  was  quiet  and  peaceful.  Sinking 
into  a  seat,  I  drank  some  wine  which  the  woman 
brought  me.  Into  her  hand  I  dropped  a  piece 
of  money,  "For  the  bambino,"  said  I.  Many 
were  the  thanks  that  she  would  have  showered 
on  me,  but,  checking  her  words,  I  asked  her  to 
tell  me  more  of  this  good  sister,  leading  her 
to  think  that  such  an  one  had  once  tended  me 
through  a  long  illness. 

"  Signore,  my  husband  and  1  talk  much  about 
her,  for  I  tell  him  that  she  was  born  to  be  a 
mother,  since  every  child  adores  her.  And  her 
voice,  surely,  the  Blessed  Virgin  herself  could 
scarce  have  a  sweeter  one.  She  loves  music, 
for  she  told  me  that  her  happiest  hours  were 
when  she  sang  in  the  chapel.  And,  one  day, 
she  saw  a  fiddle  in  the  house  of  Marcelli.  His 
son  was  ill,  for  it  was  at  the  time  of  the  sick- 
ness. My  boy  was  out  of  danger,  but  his  was 
dying.  All  night  the  sister  had  been  with  them, 
and  when  the  little  one  died  at  dawn  she  stayed 
till  it  was  laid  to  rest.  Ah,  the  grief  of  the 
parents,  for  they  had  no  other  child.  Gladly 
they  would  have  given  all  they  had,  even  their 
lives,  for  her,  since  she  had  eased  the  last 
moments  of  the  dying  babe,  but  they  were 
poor  and  could  not  reward  her.  Therefore 
they  showed  her  a  fiddle,  and  begged  of  her  to 


ii8  TESTORE 

accept  it,  saying  that  she  could  sell  it,  and  with 
the  money  pay  for  masses  for  the  dead.  She 
took  it,  but  she  gave  it  to  me  to  keep  for  her. 
Some  day,  she  said,  she  would  part  with  it,  but 
for  a  while  she  wished  to  have  it  near  her." 

Quickly  my  heart  had  beaten  at  these  words, 
yet  I  spoke  not  till  the  tale  was  ended.  Then 
asked  I  to  see  the  fiddle. 

And  she  brought  it  to  me. 

"  It  is  mine,  mine  !  "  I  cried  ;  "  the  first  that 
I  ever  made  !  " 

I  clung  to  it  tightly,  for  the  woman,  alarmed, 
tried  to  take  it  from  me. 

"  No  !  no  !  "  I  repeated,  wild  with  excite- 
ment. "  I  tell  you  I  made  it,  and  it  is  mine. 
Give  me  the  bow  !  " 

And  when  I  held  it  in  my  hand,  and  drew  it 
across  the  strings,  I  knew  of  a  certainty  that 
Sister  Marie  was  my  beautiful  lady. 


CHAPTER   X11I 

THERE  was  a  rush  of  footsteps,  followed  by 
loud  exclamations,  but  I  heeded  them  not. 

I  had  a  friend  to  whom  I  could  pour  forth  of 
all  my  yearnings. 

And,  as  1  played,  heedless  of  all  which  passed 
around  me,  a  voice  was  heard  to  say,  "  Make 
way  ! " 

The  Captain  and  his  men  entered  the  cottage, 
but  they  did  not  stay  my  music,  but,  even  as 
the  others  who  had  crowded  about  the  door- 
way at  my  first  notes,  they  listened  intently. 
Children  were  hoisted  on  to  the  shoulders  of 
their  fathers  ;  work  was  forgotten  ;  and  I  was 
Testore  the  fiddle-maker,  his  soul,  freed  of 
pomps  and  ceremonies,  soothed  and  comforted. 

At  last  my  exaltation  passed  ;  I  was  on  earth 
with  sorrow  and  loneliness  for  my  boon  com- 
panions. No  one  spoke.  Many  of  the  women 
wept  sadly.  The  air  of  the  room  was  unbear- 
able, therefore  I  essayed  to  go  forth,  but  my 
progress  was  impeded  by  the  peasants,  who 
implored  me  to  continue  playing.  Some  lifted 
119 


120  TESTORE 

their  children  to  touch  me,  but  to  all  their 
entreaties  I  shook  my  head. 

Once  outside  I  quickened  my  steps,  and  soon 
left  the  village  behind  me. 

Amid  some  trees  which  bordered  a  wood  I 
cast  myself  down,  and,  burying  my  face  in  my 
hands,  I  gave  way  to  the  fierce  frenzy  of  passion 
that  tore  me  in  twain.  Angelo  mio  so  near, 
yet  out  of  my  reach  for  ever.  I  lived  again 
that  night  so  long  ago  when  our  two  souls  were 
as  one,  for  Love  acknowledges  no  difference  in 
rank  ;  prince  or  peasant  it  is  the  same. 

My  senses  ran  riot  ;  tumultuous  were  my 
thoughts  ;  almost  it  seemed  as  though  unholy 
spirits  spake  to  me,  prompting  me  to  commit 
actions,  base  and  wrong. 

And  then,  just  as  on  a  sultry  day  a  clap  of 
thunder  will  suddenly  dispel  the  sulky  humour 
of  the  atmosphere,  my  passion  died,  the  evil 
within  me  departed,  peace  fell  on  me.  A  little 
bird  near  by  sang  joyously  to  his  mate,  and  I 
took  for  my  owVi  his  message  of  faith  and  hope. 
Lifting  the  fiddle,  so  dear  to  me  since  her  hand 
had  held  it,  I  pushed  my  way  into  the  wood. 

Soon  the  dense  growth  ended,  and  a  great 
rock  confronted  me,  and  at  its  base  a  lesser  one 
lay.  Above  this  boulder  a  streamlet  had  its 
source,  and  falling  on  either  side,  parted  but  to 


TESTORE  121 

meet  again  in  a  pool  on  the  ground.  Bending, 
I  laved  my  face  with  the  water  within  it,  then 
refreshed,  I  sat  down  upon  a  fallen  trunk  of  a 
tree  and  played  again. 

A  rustle  of  leaves,  an  exclamation,  betrayed 
the  presence  of  a  listener  other  than  the  dumb 
creatures  of  the  place. 

Turning  quickly,  I  saw  the  sombre  dusk  of 
a  nun's  garb. 

Uttering  a  glad  cry  of  "  Angelo  mio,"  I 
hurried  towards  her,  and  though  she  sought  to 
evade  me,  I  took  her  in  my  arms. 

Hastily  she  freed  herself. 

"  Angelo  mio  !  "  I  repeated. 

She  paled,  and  for  a  while  neither  of  us 
spoke. 

"  Testore,"  said  she  at  length,  "  I  serve 
the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  she  has  answered  my 
prayer  that  I  might  look  on  thee  but  once 
again  ere  I  pass  to  my  life  of  solitude  and 
silence.  Carlo  mio,  help  me  to  be  brave,  for 
thou  wouldst  not  in  the  days  to  come  think  on 
me  as  having  broken  my  vows." 

Our  hands  met.  We  could  not  help  it,  only 
she  would  not  let  me  kiss  them. 

So  very  beautiful  and  pure  she  looked,  as 
she  stood  before  me,  that  I  could  but  obey  her. 
She  was  not  for  me. 


122  TESTORE 

"  Testore  mio,"  her  voice,  though  gentle, 
was  full  of  determination,  "  if,"  pointing  to  the 
fiddle,  now  lying  forgotten  on  the  ground,  *'  if 
that  will  comfort  thee  somewhat,  take  it  with 
thee.  I  must  have  bidden  farewell  to  it 
soon." 

"  But  the  woman  who  keeps  it  for  thee  ? " 
I  asked. 

In  reply  she  handed  to  me  a  leaflet  which 
she  drew  from  within  her  robe.  On  it  were  a 
few  signs  which,  she  explained  to  me,  the  woman 
would  understand. 

In  the  distance  the  sound  of  the  cracking 
of  twigs  warned  me  that  the  Captain  was  in 
pursuit,  and  would  drag  me  back  to  the 
mockery  of  life  in  the  world  without  my 
beautiful  lady. 

She  heard  it  too. 

"  Testore,  we  must  say  farewell." 

"  Angelo  mio  !  " 

Faint  and  husky  was  my  voice.  I  pointed 
to  the  crucifix  which  she  wore.  She,  com- 
prehending the  glance  and  gesture,  hastily 
removed  it  and,  together  with  the  chain,  hung 
it  around  my  neck.  Swiftly  I  hid  it,  for  the 
snapping  of  brushwood  sounded  nearer.  Ah, 
death  would  have  been  more  welcome  to  me. 
My  lady's  eyes  were  full  of  supplication  ;  she 


TESTORE  123 

thought  but  of  my  danger,  yet  her  heart,  even 
as  mine,  was  torn  with  agony. 

Now  heard  we  a  man's  voice,  exclaiming 
angrily,  "  Peste  take  this  musician." 

The  words  stirred  me  to  action.  I  turned 
and  left  that  spot. 

Another  minute  and  it  would  have  been  too 
late,  for  almost  immediately  the  Captain  with 
two  of  his  men  came  within  view  ;  but  I,  as 
though  unaware  of  them,  pushed  forward  in  a 
different  direction  with  such  speed  that  they 
had  difficulty  in  making  my  pace.  Then,  in 
seeming  surprise,  I  stayed  my  steps. 

"  I  am  music  mad,"  said  I,  "  and  I  knew  not 
how  far  I  had  wandered.  Come !  Forgive 
my  humour,  for  I  am  minded  to  hold  a  feast 
to-night  which  shall  drive  away  the  memory  of 
your  hot  walk." 

Relieved  at  having  found  me,  the  Captain 
fell  into  the  light  mood  that  I  had  adopted, 
and  on  our  way  back  to  the  village  I  told  him 
much  of  my  life  as  a  maker  of  fiddles. 

"  I  would  see  that  woman  again,"  said  I,  as 
we  passed  down  the  street,  <c  for  I  must  have 
this,  though  how  it  came  here  I  know  not." 

My  companions  waited  for  me  without, 
while  I  entered  again  that  little  home.  Im- 
mediately the  woman  held  out  her  hand  to  take 


i24  TESTORE 

the  fiddle  from  me,  but  when  I  gave  her  the 
leaflet  from  my  beautiful  lady,  she  was  content. 

My  escort  was  glad  of  a  respite  for  a  few 
more  hours.  The  landlord  of  the  inn  was 
eager  to  show  his  capabilities  as  host.  Through 
the  open  door  we  could  hear,  as  we  sat  drinking 
wine,  his  voice  vibrating  with  excitement,  as 
he  issued  or  withdrew  some  command.  And 
always  in  answer  came  the  shrill  tones  of  his 
wife,  as  she  argued  with  him  some  point  or 
other  concerning  the  ordering  of  the  feast. 

The  clattering  of  dishes,  the  protesting  cackle 
of  poultry,  told  us  that  already  preparations  for 
it  had  commenced.  More  than  once  our  host, 
with  crimson  face  and  greasy  doublet,  came  to 
ask  my  advice  in  what  was  to  him  a  matter  of 
import.  By  my  desire  we  were  to  partake  of 
the  meal  without  in  the  air,  for  I  could  not 
endure,  even  in  thought,  the  idea  of  a  hot  and 
crowded  room. 

So  when  the  sun  had  scarce  an  hour  to 
run,  we  sat  down  to  a  bountiful  repast.  The 
Captain  and  I  were  seated  at  either  ends  of 
the  table,  while  the  men  occupied  the  sides. 
The  meal  began  as  such  meals  will,  in  some 
restraint  at  first,  a  want  of  ease  when  eating 
with  one  above  them  in  rank,  an  undecided 
mind  when  a  choice  is  presented  ;  but  soon 


TESTORE  125 

these  drawbacks  gave  way  to  light-heartedness 
and  a  flow  of  jest. 

Our  hunger  satisfied,  toasts  followed  ;  the 
first  was  drunk  to  me,  and  after  I  had  re- 
sponded to  it,  the  men,  one  by  one,  arose  to 
pledge  those  to  whom  they  owed  some  re- 
membrance, or  held  in  esteem.  And  the  last 
to  drink  thus,  was  the  youngest  of  them  all. 
Shyly  he  drank  to  his  bambina  whom  he  had 
not  yet  seen. 

His  comrades  were  inclined  to  make  a  mock 
of  him,  but  arising  quickly,  I  tossed  off  a 
goblet  of  wine  to  la  mia  bimba  whom  the 
father  had  not  yet  seen,  and  to  Fanciullina 
whom  I  should  never  see  again  ;  and  because 
a  little  spot  in  their  hearts  had  been  touched, 
those  rough  men  replied  promptly  to  my  toast. 

Then  a  silence  fell  on  us  all. 

Strange  it  is  that  at  such  moments  a  wave 
from  the  unseen  world  strikes  some  chord  in 
our  being  which,  responding,  vibrates,  and  till 
these  vibrations  die  away,  we,  perforce,  utter 
not  a  word. 

Of  such  a  nature  is  the  silence  that  falls 
upon  a  crowd  when  a  great  man  passes. 

The  spell  was  broken  by  an  outcry  for 
music,  and  I  was  nothing  loth  ;  talking  was 
difficult,  for  my  inner  self  was  wearied  out  by 


iz6  TESTORE 

the  doings  of  that  afternoon.  Therefore  I 
agreed,  but  ere  I  played  I  pledged  the  truest, 
purest  lady  in  Christendom,  and  surely  she 
would  have  been  touched  had  she  seen  those 
rough  soldiers  reply  to  her  toast. 

Then  the  fiddle  was  brought  to  me  by  the 
young  father,  into  whose  fingers  I  pushed  a 
golden  coin  which  he  would  have  thrust  back 
again,  save  that  I  whispered,  "  To  help  the 
wedding-dowry  of  la  bimba." 

Tears  came  unbidden  to  my  eyes  as  I  lifted 
the  bow,  but  forcing  them  back,  with  a  bruised 
and  aching  heart  I  played  light  and  merry 
ditties  to  my  guests.  Then  I  glided  into  a  love 
song,  an  improvisation  of  joy  and  happiness. 

The  twilight  deepened  into  the  soft  dark  of 
an  Italian  night.  Near  by  a  nightingale  sung 
lustily.  The  landlord  lit  candles  which  threw 
fantastic  shadows  on  the  faces  of  the  listeners. 
Beppo,  the  young  father,  sat  with  his  face  half- 
buried  in  his  hand  ;  and  his  voice,  as  he  replied 
to  some  remark,  was  full  of  sweet  memories. 
The  Captain,  too,  listened  intently  ;  his  head, 
supported  by  his  hands,  was  flung  back,  and 
his  eyes  bespoke  of  much.  The  stars  appeared, 
faint  and  misty,  then  they  deepened  in  brilliancy 
and  colour.  The  landlord,  his  duties  over, 
respectfully  seated  himself  a  little  way  off. 


TESTORE  127 

His  wife,  her  hands  on  portly  hips,  leaned 
against  the  doorway ;  and,  perchance,  across  the 
distance  that  lay  'twixt  us  and  the  convent,  a 
nun  knelt  and  prayed  for  forgetfulness  before 
the  altar  of  her  patron  saint,  Mary  the  Pure, 
the  Mother  of  Our  Lord. 

The  song  ended,  I  arose.  The  feast  was 
over.  On  the  morrow  we  would  be  but  fellow- 
travellers  ;  yet  for  these  hours  we  had  been 
united  by  a  bond  of  sympathy  which  might 
endure  even  after  we  had  parted,  and  taken  our 
several  paths  which  would  lead  us  to  but  one, 
at  the  end  of  which  friend  Death  awaits  us. 

No  one  spoke  till  I  turned  to  seek  my 
chamber,  when  they  surrounded  me,  and  would 
have  shown  their  appreciation  openly  had  I  not 
begged  them  to  allow  me  to  go  quietly.  They 
fell  back,  and  I  gained  my  room  without 
hindrance. 

Next  morning  we  were  ready  to  ride  ere  the 
sun  was  an  hour  up,  but  early  though  it  was,  a 
number  of  peasants  had  assembled  to  bid  us 
farewell. 

The  road,  though  it  did  not  approach  the 
convent  closely,  led  towards  it.  And  as  we 
thus  rode  on  our  way,  I  spoke  never  a  word, 
for  my  thoughts  were  all  of  my  beautiful  lady, 
and  the  men  respected  my  mood. 


128  TESTORE 

That  midday  we  only  halted  to  rest  our 
beasts.  A  few  more  days  of  hard  riding 
brought  us  to  within  sight  of  Milano,  and 
then  the  Captain,  his  task  done,  reined  in  at 
my  side. 

"  Signore,"  said  he,  u  thy  city  lies  before 
thee,  and  we  have  done  our  duty.  Naught 
now  remains  for  us  save  to  take  with  us  the 
words  which  will  prove  to  our  chief  that  we 
have  fulfilled  his  commands." 

"  You  will  not  come  further,  and  rest  before 
you  return  ?  " 

"Nay,"  answered  he  ;  "  disobedience  courts 
death.  Not  many  miles  back  we  passed  an 
inn,  and  there  the  landlord  awaits  us,  and  we 
shall  be  in  time  for  the  evening  meal." 

So  I  wrote  upon  a  leaflet  those  pass-words 
which  would  prove  that  thus  far  I  had  journeyed 
in  safety. 

We  parted  with  a  certain  amount  of  sadness 
on  either  side,  for  these  men  bore  me  naught 
save  goodwill,  and  I  had  found  them  courteous 
and  good  company. 

I  watched  them  till  they  grew  small  in  the 
distance,  then  turning  my  horse's  head,  I  drew 
not  rein  till  I  had  entered  Milano.  There  I 
sought  a  friend  to  whom  I  could  entrust  my 
beast,  and  when  I  had  seen  him  safely  stabled 


TESTORE  129 

for  the  night,  I  wended  my  way  to  II  Duomo. 
The  vast,  dim  aisles  were  empty  save  for  a 
few.  Seating  myself  in  my  favourite  corner,  I 
let  my  mind  dwell  on  all  that  had  chanced  since 
I  left  home.  Of  a  certainty  I  knew  that  I 
should  be  watched,  yet  I  feared  not,  for  music 
would  be  my  sole  companion.  Never  again 
could  I  hope  for  wife,  or  child,  to  soothe  me 
when  my  heart  lay  heavy  within  me. 

Within  this  building  which  I  loved  so  well, 
my  grief  seemed  stilled,  but  there  would  be 
hours  when  the  poignancy  of  sorrow  would 
bear  me  down.  The  presence  of  others  often 
wearied  me  exceedingly,  for  mostly  I  craved 
for  solitude,  the  beauty  of  the  night,  or  the 
magic  of  the  dawn  ;  yet  hours  of  light-hearted 
gaiety  had  so  far  withheld  me  from  shunning 
mankind  altogether. 

Long  I  sat  thus,  buried  in  meditation,  then 
I  arose,  and  sought  my  house. 

It  appeared  deserted.  All  was  quiet  within. 
I  paused  ere  I  knocked,  and  as  I  stood  a  sound 
of  one  weeping  fell  upon  my  ear.  I  lifted  the 
knocker,  but  ere  it  fell,  one  stayed  my  hand. 

"  Buono  Testore  !  " 

A  comely  woman,  her  eyes  red  with  tears, 
was  at  my  side. 

"  Buono  Testore,  alas  !  thou  art  alone." 

K 


1 30  TESTORE 

Fear  gripped  my  heart. 

"  My  mother  !  " 

She  patted  my  arm  in  pity. 

"  She  is  gone.     She  died  at  dawn." 

I  staggered,  and  but  for  the  support  of  the 
wall  I  should  have  fallen.  Never  till  that 
moment  knew  I  how  much  I  loved  her,  or 
what  I  owed  to  her.  Our  voices  must  have 
penetrated  the  silence  of  the  death-stricken 
house,  for  the  door  was  opened,  and  I  entered. 

They  led  me  to  the  inner  room,  and  there 
on  her  bed,  with  a  nun  kneeling  on  either  side 
of  it,  lay  the  dead  ;  a  majestic  calm  written  on 
her  worn  face.  She  was  a  good  woman,  and, 
sad  to  say,  in  those  days  there  were  not  many 
who  could  truly  lay  claim  to  that  name. 

I  looked  down  on  her.  A  crucifix  had  been 
placed  on  her  breast.  Candles  were  lighted, 
flowers  were  scattered  upon  her  shroud,  and 
the  scent  of  incense  permeated  the  chamber. 

I  motioned  all  away  save  the  kneeling 
sisters.  Then  I  gazed  long  at  her  who  had  so 
often  and  so  patiently  borne  with  my  morose 
moods.  At  last  I  bent,  and  kissing  the  cold 
brow,  whispered  very  softly,  "  Resurgam." 
Replacing  the  coverlet  over  the  face  which 
never  more  would  lighten  with  joy  at  my 
approach,  I  left  her. 


TESTORE  131 

I  had  loved  my  mother,  but  how  often  in 
the  story  of  our  lives,  those  to  whom  we  owe 
so  much  are  denied  the  outward  expression  of 
gratitude  for  their  unselfish  devotion. 

They  laid  her  to  rest  beside  the  body  of  my 
father  whom  I  scarcely  remembered,  and  again 
I  solaced  myself  with  work.  I  kept  my 
promise  to  the  Church,  fulfilling  outwardly  its 
many  duties,  but  only  slowly  was  the  true 
spiritual  life  awakened  to  growth  within  me. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

THREE  years  passed.  Francesco  had  married, 
but  his  wife  died  giving  birth  to  twins  which 
survived  her  but  a  few  hours.  And  now  my 
cousin  was  again  betrothed,  this  time  to  one 
who  was  a  stranger  in  Milano. 

I  liked  not  the  girl.  Once  Francesco 
brought  her  to  my  house,  where  she,  in  spite 
of  my  words,  invaded  my  workroom  and, 
with  mocking  tones,  fingered  my  treasures. 
Only  those  two  precious  pieces  of  wood,  the 
gift  of  my  unknown  friend,  were  not  touched 
by  her,  for  I  put  them  into  a  chest,  and  sat 
upon  it.  I  could  not  thrust  her  from  the 
room  ;  and  over  her  betrothed  she  had  cast  a 
spell  so  that  he  hovered  around  her,  and 
naught  that  she  did  was  wrong. 

Ah,  Maria,  for  that  was  her  name,  came  to 
be  a  thorn  in  my  flesh,  for  she  would  not  see 
that  in  no  wise  could  I  like  her,  but  she  turned 
her  eyes  on  me  ;  and  had  I  been  taken  in  by 
her  wiles,  my  cousin  might  have  been  spared 
an  unhappy  home,  since  she  would  have 
rejoiced  to  call  me  her  dutiful  husband. 

132 


TESTORE  133 

Bah  !  I  kept  the  door  of  my  chamber  of 
fiddles  locked,  even  when  I  was  within,  for  oft 
did  she  bribe  my  cousin  to  bring  her  to  see  me 
on  the  pretext  of  doing  some  household  duty 
which  was  lacking  in  my  house  now  that  my 
mother  had  gone. 

An  old  woman  attended  to  my  simple  wants, 
yet  on  my  rambles  I  ever  took  the  house-key 
with  me  ;  therefore,  perhaps,  Maria  had  reason 
to  make  loud  lamentations  over  the  dust  which 
gathered  in  plenty. 

By  chance  I  heard  of  Teresa's  death.  Once, 
roaming  with  my  gypsy  friends,  we  camped 
near  her  abode,  which  on  visiting,  I  found  in 
the  hands  of  strangers.  They  it  was  who  told 
me  much  of  her,  and  that  her  husband  had 
sold  the  farm  to  them,  and  departed,  they 
knew  not  where. 

That  evening  I  could  not  play.  Instead, 
I  sought  a  lonely  spot,  and  there  passed  the 
night,  my  heart  heavy  with  remorse  at  the 
remembrance  of  my  last  words  to  my  faithful 
nurse.  Fain  would  I  have  looked  on  her 
again,  to  crave  her  forgiveness  for  my  cruel 
mood.  At  dawn  I  rose,  and  sought  again  the 
homestead  which  had  so  many  memories  for 
me,  to  take  farewell  of  it. 

A  few   days    afterwards    1    returned    home. 


134  TESTORE 

My  cousin  had  been  married  during  my 
absence.  Indeed  it  had  been  to  avoid  that 
ceremony  that  I  had  joined  the  gypsies.  When 
I  at  length  paid  them  a  visit,  methought  that 
already  Francesco  regretted  his  choice.  His 
manner  was  restrained,  and  when  I  bade  him 
farewell  he  did  not  ask  me  to  come  again  soon, 
as  he  ever  did  of  old.  His  wife  eyed  me 
boldly  as  of  yore,  but  my  words  to  her  were 
curt,  and  I  determined  to  see  as  little  of  her 
as  possible. 

Francesco,  if  he  wanted  me,  must  seek  me 
at  my  house. 


CHAPTER   XV 

IT  was  the  birth-hour  of  the  New  Year.  All 
alone  I  had  watched  the  old  one  dying,  and  the 
morrow  would  see  my  departure  to  a  new  city, 
for  I  had  resolved  to  visit  Cremona  for  a  while. 
Times  were  stormy.  Many  were  the  party 
factions  in  Milano,  and  I  had  no  wish  to  be 
drawn  into  any  one  of  them,  therefore  me- 
thought  to  seek  a  new  abode,  for  too  many 
were  the  interruptions  in  my  work,  and  these 
were  days  when  one  had  reason  to  doubt  even 
their  friends. 

As  I  sat  thinking  of  many  things,  a  slow, 
timid  knock  sounded  on  my  door.  Arising,  I 
opened  it,  but  only  a  little  way. 

With  one  hand  on  the  hilt  of  my  sword,  I 
asked,  "  Who  knocks  so  late  ?  " 

But  only  a  weary  cough  greeted  my  words. 

Again  I  asked,  "  Who  knocks  so  late  ? " 

*'  Resurgam,"  was  the  startling  answer  which 
I  now  received. 

"  Enter,"  replied  I  quickly,  flinging  wide  ajar 
the  door. 


136  TESTORE 

Again  I  heard  that  dreary  cough,  but  out  of 
the  gloom  appeared  a  form  so  draped  in  a  cloak 
which  was  also  pulled  well  around  the  face  that 
I  could  see  naught  of  the  features  it  thus  hid. 

Closing  the  door,  I  locked  and  barred  it, 
then  turned  to  face  my  visitor. 

The  Unknown  had  dropped  his  mantle. 

Backward  I  started  in  horror  and  compassion, 
for  a  face  seared  with  great  scars,  an  eyeless 
socket,  and  a  twisted  lower  lip,  confronted  me. 
The  one  eye,  large  and  grey,  held  in  its  depths 
a  world  of  woe  and  pain. 

I  essayed  to  speak,  but  the  words  died  ere  I 
could  utter  them,  and  for  a  while  we  looked 
on  one  another  with  only  that  choking  cough 
to  break  the  silence. 

At  last  I  was  able  to  withdraw  my  eyes  from 
that  sight  of  wrecked  humanity,  and  I  pushed 
forward  a  chair.  Then,  with  shaking  hands,  I 
poured  out  for  him  a  goblet  of  wine  which  he 
drank  greedily. 

Afterwards  I  heard  how  he  had  suffered  from 
the  devilish  cruelties  of  Spain. 

The  maimed  man  had  once  been  on  the 
service  of  the  Spaniards,  but  had  failed  in 
carrying  out  his  part  of  a  plot.  Nay,  more,  in 
a  moment  of  excitement,  he  had  let  fall  some 
words  which  had  led  to  the  success  of  the  oppo- 


TESTORE  137 

site  party,  and  for  that  health,  manhood, 
and  outer  attraction  had  been  taken  from 
him. 

With  difficulty  he  fumbled  in  his  belt,  and 
brought  forth  a  folded  paper  which  he  handed 
to  me,  at  the  same  time  looking  furtively  round 
the  room  with  his  one  eye. 

It  was  then  that  I  saw  that  he  had  but  the 
thumb  and  one  finger  on  his  right  hand. 

I  refilled  his  goblet,  and  bade  him  drink. 
The  paper,  when  unfolded,  revealed  naught  save 
signs  which  conveyed  no  meaning  to  me.  Be- 
wildered, 1  turned  to  my  guest,  who  again 
fumbled  with  his  belt.  This  time  he  drew 
forth  a  missive  which  he  gave  to  me.  The  seal 
thereof  bore  a  skull  pierced  with  a  dagger,  on 
whose  point  a  butterfly  poised  ;  encircling 
these  was  that  word  so  potent  in  meaning, 
"  Resurgam,"  and  all  the  while,  save  the  one 
utterance  at  the  door,  no  other  sound  had 
escaped  the  lips  of  this  strange  man.  I  opened 
the  letter  with  care,  for  I  would  not  damage 
the  seal,  the  crest  of  which  fascinated  me. 

And  these  were  the  words  it  contained. 

"  Tarry  yet  in  Milano.  Seek  not  the  air  of 
a  strange  city.  Within  three  days,  or  three 
weeks,  ye  shall  receive  that  which  shall  aid 


138  TESTORE 

thee  to  read  the  paper  which  I  commanded  my 
messenger  to  hand  thee  first." 

There  was  no  signature,  yet  well  I  knew 
whose  hand  had  penned  these  words. 

Many  times  I  read  it  ere  1  turned  to  the 
Unknown,  hoping  that,  perchance,  he  had 
somewhat  to  say  to  enlighten  me  concerning 
this  thing  ;  but  in  reply  to  my  glance  of  eager 
inquiry,  he  placed  his  fingers  on  his  lips,  and 
pointed  to  the  door. 

Ere  I  could  cross  the  space,  'twixt  it  and  me, 
the  New  Year  was  born. 

The  stranger  gave  way  to  a  hoarse  chuckle, 
whether  of  mirth  or  of  dismay  I  could  not  tell. 

"  It  is  late,"  I  remarked  ;  "  I  can  give  thee 
supper  and  a  bed." 

But  for  answer  I  received  only  a  gesture  of 
refusal,  and,  in  compliance  with  his  anxious  look 
towards  the  door,  I  raised  the  bar,  turned  the 
key,  and  held  it  open  for  him  to  pass  through. 
Into  the  gloom  of  the  night  he  slipped,  and 
only  that  choking  cough  told  me  as  to  the 
direction  in  which  he  had  turned  his  steps. 

When  alone,  I  remained  standing  beside  the 
lamp,  reading  again  and  again  that  message. 
Then  I  spread  the  paper  on  the  table  before 
me,  and  for  long  I  sought  to  pierce  its  secret. 


TE  STORE  139 

But  in  vain.  When  at  last  I  withdrew  to  my 
chamber,  a  vexed  impatience,  a  restless  wonder, 
kept  me  awake,  and  not  till  dawn  did  I  fall 
asleep,  and  even  then  I  slept  but  a  short 
hour. 

The  rain  was  falling  in  a  thick  grey  mist 
when  I  unbarred  the  door,  intending  to  fetch 
the  woman  who  did  my  household  duties ;  and  I, 
who  loved  so  much  the  warmth  and  light  of  the 
sun,  considered  ere  I  braved  the  damp  without. 
To-morrow  would  do.  I  turned  to  the  comfort 
of  a  warm  room,  and  stove.  There  I  spent  the 
morning  poring  over  the  signs.  Once,  me- 
thought  that  I  had  found  a  clue  ;  but  like  a 
flash  it  came  and  went,  and  after,  all  seemed 
more  hopeless  than  ever. 

u  Peste  !  "  exclaimed  I  at  length  aloud  ; 
"  the  day  goes,  and  naught  has  been  done." 

After  having  partaken  of  some  wine  and 
bread,  I  sought  to  fix  my  mind  upon  the 
mixing  of  some  varnish,  but  in  vain,  for  my 
thoughts  still  clung  to  the  mysteries  of  that 
paper,  and  evening  found  me  still  endeavouring 
to  decipher  it. 

Days  passed,  and  the  secret  it  contained  was 
not  yet  revealed  to  me,  for  I  had  not  received 
the  promised  key. 

Then,  one  night,  ere   I  lay  down  to  sleep, 


1 40  TESTORE 

a  gentle  rap  sounded  on  my  door,  followed 
speedily  by  a  louder  one. 

Recklessly  I  flung  it  open.  Without  stood 
a  man  holding  the  bridle  of  a  horse. 

And  this  time  my  eyes  gazed  not  on  one 
robbed  of  all  his  outer  attractions,  as  well  as 
his  manhood,  but  a  gallant  who  thought  well 
of  himself  and  his  appointments. 

"  Fair  weather  to  thee,  friend  !  "  said  he, 
heartily.  "  May  I  enter  ?  But  where  can 
my  beast  be  stabled  ? " 

To  the  last  query  I  replied,  "  I  am  sorry 
that  I  have  no  stall  for  your  beast  ;  the  hour 
is  late,  and  all  asleep,  but  there  is  naught  to 
prevent  him  sharing  our  company  if  he  will." 

His  master  laughed. 

"  So  be  it  !  Ho,  Rollo,  for  once  thou  shalt 
share  the  same  roof  as  thy  master,"  and  he  led 
the  animal,  a  beautiful  chestnut,  into  the  room. 

Within  the  inner  chamber  my  lamp  still 
burnt,  and  there  I  brought  my  visitor.  Then 
I  set  food  before  him,  and  he,  nothing  loth, 
attacked  the  viands  hungrily,  for  he  had  not 
broken  his  fast  for  many  hours.  He  was 
as  good  to  look  upon  as  that  other  night 
messenger  had  been  repulsive. 

I  longed  to  hear  that  he  might  have  to  say, 
but  he  said  not  a  word  to  enlighten  me  as 


TESTORE  141 

to  the  cause  of  his  visit.  Instead,  he  talked 
of  divers  matters,  whilst  I  replied  as  carelessly 
as  I  could,  seeking  to  hide  my  true  thoughts. 
Nevertheless  somewhat  of  curiosity  as  to  his 
mission  must  have  shown  itself  in  my  face,  or 
been  betrayed  in  my  voice. 

My  guest,  for  his  part,  spoke  and  acted  as 
one  who  holds  a  great  favour  in  store,  but 
chooses  his  own  time  for  the  bestowal  of  it. 

Thus  an  hour  or  more  passed. 

From  time  to  time  his  glance  rested  on  me, 
and  there  was  much  humour  in  his  eye  that 
at  the  same  time  carried  with  it  a  look  of 
honour,  and  courage. 

Presently  he  yawned,  and  stretched  himself 
as  though  from  utter  weariness.  Fearful  of 
seeming  inhospitable,  I  begged  him  to  stay  the 
night.  He  accepted  the  offer  eagerly,  and 
withdrew  to  my  chamber,  whilst  I  attended  to 
his  steed,  easing  him  of  his  saddle  and  bridle. 
I  gave  him,  too,  a  drink  of  water,  promising 
him  a  good  feed  early  in  the  morning,  for  as 
soon  as  it  was  light  I  would  go  in  search  of 
provender. 

Then  I,  too,  sought  my  couch. 

Mystery  again  wrapped  me  in  its  heavy 
folds,  and  try  as  I  might,  no  corner  could  I 
raise,  nor  could  I  turn  my  thoughts  from  that 


142  TESTORE 

which  so  baffled  me.  It  became  a  torment,  a 
thing  of  horror  ;  and  at  length  I  rose  and, 
lighting  a  lamp,  I  pored  over  that  paper  through 
the  long  hours  of  that  sleepless  night.  Dawn 
had  scarce  grown  to  full  light  when  the  sound 
of  footsteps  warned  me  that  my  guest  was 
already  astir.  Hurriedly  I  pushed  the  paper 
into  my  doublet,  and  set  about  preparing  a 
meal.  That  done,  I  hastened  to  procure  some 
hay  for  the  horse,  but  on  my  return  man  and 
beast  had  gone. 

Despair  filled  my  heart,  for  I  had  thought 
myself  so  near  to  the  solving  of  that  riddle, 
and  yet  I  had  received  neither  word  nor  sign 
to  enlighten  me.  Angrily  and  impatiently  I 
flung  myself  on  to  a  chair ;  then,  after  a  while, 
worn  out,  I  entered  into  my  chamber,  and 
there,  on  my  couch,  lay  a  bulky,  heavily  sealed 
letter.  Wildly  beat  my  heart.  Fool ! — fool ! 
not  to  have  examined  my  room  sooner. 

With  trembling  hands  I  opened,  for,  surely, 
within  I  should  find  the  key  to  the  knowledge 
I  so  much  desired. 

A  map  came  first  to  light,  but  within  it  lay 
a  missive. 

"  Friend  !  One  more  service  I  seek  to  do 
thee  ere  our  paths  divide  for  ever.  I  sent  not 


TESTORE  143 

these  papers  of  import  by  one  messenger,  lest 
they  might  fall  into  the  wrong  hand.  Together 
they  are  priceless,  but  separated  they  are  of  no 
avail. 

"  My  time  on  earth  fast  draws  to  its  close. 
My  riches  are  immense,  and  for  thee  I  have 
hidden  much  treasure,  but  seek  it  not  until  a 
third  messenger  brings  unto  thee  word  of  my 
death." 

Then  followed  the  key  to  the  reading  of  that 
paper,  for  each  mark  might  mean  one  or  many 
words  according  to  its  place,  and  these  must 
be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  signs  upon  the 
map. 

Now,  indeed,  it  would  become  possible  for 
me  to  comprehend  the  mystery  which  had  so 
long  remained  a  secret  to  me;  yet  even  with 
this  help,  and  though  I  spent  long  hours  upon 
this  arduous  task,  the  days  grew  to  a  week  ere 
all  was  clear  to  me. 

And  then  my  brain  reeled,  almost  my  senses 
left  me,  hardly  I  could  believe  that  which  my 
own  eyes  read  ;  yet  not  a  word  was  wanting  in 
the  tale  which  told  of  a  vast  hoard  of  treasure 
in  waiting  for  me — riches  so  immense  that  one- 
tenth  of  them  was  a  fortune. 

But,  presently,  the  thought  assailed  me  that 


i44  TESTORE 

too  late  this  wealth  had  come  into  my  life. 
Years  ago  they  might  have  paved  my  way  to 
much  that  I  desired,  for  money  can  buy  power. 
Even  the  Principessa  Elvira  di  Florenza  might 
have  been  mine. 


CHAPTER   XVI 

FROM  that  time  my  mind  became  obsessed 
with  the  thought  of  this  immense  wealth  that 
was  in  store  for  me,  till  at  last  the  devil  of 
avarice  entered  into  me.  Again  I  was  moody, 
idle,  dissipated.  Testore  the  fiddle-maker,  the 
lover  of  all  things  of  beauty,  was  lost  in 
Testore  the  sordid. 

During  these  evil  days,  a  priest,  a  new- 
comer to  Milano,  visited  me  frequently.  He 
was  a  worthy  man,  with  a  true  heart,  and 
many  were  the  talks  we  had. 

One  evening  as  we  sat  drinking  wine,  our 
speech  was  of  miracles,  and  the  casting  forth 
of  devils. 

"  Friend ! "  said  he,  for  I  had  mocked  and 
sneered  at  his  words,  "  thou  deemest  that  such 
things  be  not,  but  of  a  truth  they  have  been, 
and  still  are." 

He  raised  the  goblet  to  his  lips,  and  after 

drinking  a  long  draught,  he  set  it  slowly  down. 

Then    looked   he  at   me   long  and    earnestly. 

My    soul,    yea,  my    soul,  or  was    it    the    evil 

L  M5 


146  TESTORE 

spirit  within  me  ?  trembled  beneath  his  gaze, 
which  bespoke  of  purity  of  heart  and  thought. 
And  I  knew  this  man, -who  hated  all  things 
vile,  would  fain  cast  out  from  me  the  devils 
that  possessed  me,  that  I  might  once  more 
become  the  Testore  of  old. 

With  bravado  I  spoke  of  the  Christ,  calling 
Him  an  impostor,  a  liar,  one  who  had  bribed 
many  to  say  that  they  had  witnessed  things 
which  never  were.  And  still,  as  I  .raved,  the 
God-like  look  within  the  priest's  eyes  spoke 
to  me,  though  never  a  word  escaped  his  lips. 

And  I  knew  myself  for  a  creature  of 
exceedingly  great  vileness. 

At  last,  writhing  under  that  unspoken 
accusation,  I  rose,  and  hurled  forth  curse  after 
curse  upon  the  priest  himself.  Even  then 
he  remained  silent  till  I  was  worn  out  by 
my  impotent  rage. 

Arising,  he  stretched  out  his  hands  over 
me,  signing  me  with  the  Cross,  whilst  saying 
at  the  same  time  the  prayer  for  the  exorcism 
of  an  evil  spirit.  Then  he  left  me. 

A  demoniacal  fit  of  laughter  seized  me,  and 
when  it  had  passed,  I  lay  back,  utterly  spent, 
in  my  chair. 

A  week  passed.  The  priest  sought  me 
not,  nor  I  him. 


TESTORE  147 

For  days  I  had  not  played  a  note,  or  even 
touched  one  of  my  beloved  fiddles.  Surely, 
with  these  messengers,  and  the  papers  which 
they  had  brought,  had  entered  a  devil  into 
my  home,  which,  taking  possession  of  me, 
made  me  worse  than  mere  beast. 

Then  one  evening  word  came  to  me,  even 
as  it  had  been  promised,  that  the  riches  were 
mine,  for  the  owner  of  them  had  departed  the 
earth,  leaving  all  behind  him  save  his  deeds  ; 
and  this,  his  last  act  of  all,  perchance  atoned 
for  much  that  had  been  sinful  in  his  life. 

A  letter,  sealed  with  the  seal  I  so  well 
knew,  was  enclosed  within  a  cover  which  bore 
on  the  outside  that  word  which  had  proved 
such  a  talisman  in  my  life,  "  Resurgam." 

"  Friend  !  I  go  the  way  of  all  flesh.  I  have 
wronged  many.  Those  of  power  and  rank 
know  me  well.  I,  in  my  desire  to  gain  wealth 
and  amass  things  of  beauty,  have  committed 
awful  sins.  By  my  aid  court  intrigues  have 
been  brought  to  a  successful  end.  Statesmen 
have  been  made  or  marred  as  I  ordained.  And 
I  have  done  much  for  Holy  Church,  which 
has  enriched  those  already  fat  with  too  much 
wealth.  Widows  owe  to  me  their  desolate 
hearths  and  homes.  I  have  made  war,  and  I 


i48  TESTORE 

have  kept  peace.  Crowns  likewise  have  been 
placed  on  princely  heads  at  my  will.  Yet 
never  has  a  man  been  so  utterly  alone  as  I 
in  whose  veins  flows  the  blood  of  a  king.  My 
mother  I  never  knew.  She  loved,  alas,  too 
well,  and  as  a  reward,  lost  honour,  name, 
and  her  place  at  a  great  court.  She  died,  and 
rumour  speaks  of  a  slow  poison,  and  a  secret 
room.  They  killed  the  mother,  but  I,  a  mis- 
shapen creature,  lived.  They  would  have 
strangled  me  at  birth,  but  dare  not,  for  the 
curse  of  a  dying  woman  is  feared,  and  ere 
I  saw  the  light  she  cursed  those  who  had 
wronged  her  so  cruelly,  and  bade  those  around 
beware  how  they  dealt  with  her  unborn  child. 

"  Thus  was  I  saved. 

"  I  grew  up  in  years,  if  not  in  stature. 

"  Within  my  dwarfed  and  crippled  frame 
was  a  brain  of  prodigious  capacity,  and  a 
retentive  memory.  No  statesman  born  could 
conceive,  or  grasp,  connect,  or  plan,  more 
rapidly  than  I.  Behind  a  screen,  I  was  the 
one  who  held  the  string  of  Fate,  achieving  all. 

"  Yet  I  lived  alone. 

"  None  have  I  loved,  and  no  one  has  loved 
me.  Earth  held  naught  for  me  till  I  saw  thee, 
then  my  soul,  if  soul  I  have,  cried  out  to 
thine.  Heaven  I  denied  ;  Hell  likewise.  We 


TESTORE  149 

died  ;  we  rotted  in  the  earth.  Yet  I  chose 
as  my  pass-word  *  Resurgam,'  why,  1  know 
not.  The  grave  awaits  me.  To  thee  I  leave 
much,  and  the  knowledge  is  now  thine  how 
to  secure  it  ;  but  guard  thy  secret  well,  for 
there  are  those  who  would  rob  thee  of  it. 

"  Nevertheless,  a  spark  of  that  I  know  not 
how  to  name,  which  in  spite  of  my  belief 
I  cannot  kill,  bids  me  tell  thee,  leave  it. 
Leave  it,  my  friend,  forget  it.  Through  the 
grossest  of  cruelties,  by  acts  of  utter  selfish- 
ness, at  the  cost  of  human  lives  I  gained  these 
riches.  A  curse  clings  to  each  portion  thereof. 
Too  late  I  see  it.  The  papers  are  already  in 
your  power  ;  but  lest,  even  while  I  deny  it, 
there  should  be  a  better  world,  I  beg  thee,  I 
implore  thee  to  leave  this  treasure  where  it 
lies  hidden. 

"  My  hands  still  retain  the  threads  of  much, 
but  ere  the  passing  of  another  day  I  shall 
have  relinquished  them.  Already  part  of  me 
is  dead  ;  only  heart  and  brain  live  on  for  yet 
a  few  more  hours.  Unless  thou  wouldst  die  as 
I  do,  alone  and  unloved,  forget  the  accursed 
treasure.  I  know  so  much  that  others  know 
not,  for  spies  obey  my  bidding  everywhere, 
and  I  tell  thee,  the  Principessa  Elvira  di 
Florenza  still  loves  thee.  Thou  dost  start. 


150  TESTORE 

Little  thou  didst  think  to  hear  of  her  again, 
but  far  away  she  lives  and  suffers  in  her 
loneliness  and  despair. 

"  For  her  sake,  if  not  for  my  words,  remain 
as  thou  art,  thyself,  and  a  man. 

"  To  many  I  have  done  wrong  ;  but  to 
thee  none  save  in  leaving  thee  my  wealth. 

"A  mist  envelopes  me.  Farewell. 
Resurgam." 

As  I  read  this  missive  the  devil  of  avarice 
rose  up  within  me  in  fierce  warfare  against  the 
pleadings  and  warnings  addressed  to  me  by 
one  who  had  drunk  to  the  dregs  the  cup  of 
human  sufferings. 

Hell  raged  within  me.  Evil  beings  clutched 
at  and  held  on  to  my  each  thought  lest,  per- 
chance, I  should  tune  them  to  a  purer  pitch. 
I  stretched  out  my  arms  as  if  to  grasp  the 
treasure  and  hug  it  to  my  heart.  Fierce, 
burning,  maddening  desires  raced  through  my 
head.  Surely,  already  the  curse  of  those  from 
whom  so  much  had  been  wrested,  worked  in 
me  as  fermented  wine  will  in  the  veins  of 
deep  drinkers.  I  babbled  aloud  of  wealth  and 
power,  laughing  in  exultation  at  the  thoughts 
of  the  realities  which  should  be  mine.  Horrid, 
grinning  faces  were  before  me.  Silent  lips 


TESTORE  151 

mouthed  unseemly  words  at  me.  The  air  was 
hot  and  heavy  as  the  breath  of  those  who  lay 
stricken  by  fever.  Deadly  passions  raged 
within  me.  And  so  the  hours  passed. 

I  filled  a  goblet  of  wine,  but  ere  I  could 
carry  it  to  my  lips,  unseen  hands  laid  their 
grip  on  mine,  whilst  those  foul  faces  mocked 
and  gibbered  more  exultingly  than  ever. 

There  is  a  Hell,  and  each  soul  creates  his 
own,  yet  if  but  one  pure  soul  enters  therein, 
Heaven  may,  perchance,  be  won. 

I  threw  the  goblet  down. 

A  shriek  of  impotent  rage  resounded  through 
the  air.  Vibrations  of  agonised  fears  circled 
around  me  until  my  eyes  closed  to  earth  and, 
as  in  a  dream,  I  felt  the  return  of  purity 
to  my  soul. 

A  gentle  touch  was  on  my  brow,  cool  hands 
wiped  the  dark  sweat  from  face  and  neck. 
The  air  lightened,  healing  breezes  calmed  the 
fierce  throbbing  of  my  heart ;  voices  lulled 
my  seething  passion,  and  I  sank  into  sweet 
forgetfulness. 

It  may  be  that  spirit  forms  bore  me  upwards, 
for  the  soft  flutterings  of  wings  surrounded 
me  ere  I  lost  consciousness.  I  opened  my 
eyes  and,  behold,  methought  that  I  was  not. 
Innumerable  white-robed  beings  encircled  me, 


152  TESTORE 

and  even  as  I  held  out  my  hands  to  them 
I  fell  till  body  and  soul  were  united  once  again. 

Then  sorrow  bathed  my  eyes,  and  I  awoke. 

I  uttered  an  exceeding  bitter  cry  to  find 
myself  again  of  earth,  for  I  had  tasted  bliss. 

The  broken  goblet  lay  beside  me,  the  red 
wine  trickled  across  the  floor,  and  near  by  lay 
the  fateful  letter,  bespattered  with  red  drops, 
but  I  was  saved. 

The  evil  host  had  departed,  but  lest  they 
should  return  in  sevenfold  strength,  I  prostrated 
myself  and  prayed  aloud  for  freedom  from  the 
devil's  thrall.  And  even  as  I  thus  pleaded  for 
help  and  strength,  I  felt  the  air  quiver  with 
the  silent  pulsations  of  angels'  wings,  and  lo, 
Fanciullina  was  before  me. 

She  had  spoken  true,  this  angel  child. 

"  Babbo  shall  see  me  again." 

Long  and  eagerly  1  gazed  at  her. 

She  stood  there  with  a  glorious  light  sur- 
rounding her,  and  peace  and  happiness  were 
reflected  in  those  dark  eyes  which  while  on 
earth  had  held  naught  save  purity  within  their 
looks.  One  hand  she  held  out  to  me,  whilst 
with  the  other  she  pointed  to  that  which,  clearly 
visible  to  her,  was  not  revealed  to  me.  Her 
lips,  half-parted,  breathed  a  message  which, 
although  unspoken,  I  yet  comprehended. 


TESTORE  153 

Arising,  I  stretched  out  my  arms  towards 
her.  She  smiled,  and  turning,  pointed  again 
beyond  herself  to  that  which  still  remained 
hidden  from  my  eyes. 

Then  she  was  gone. 

With  staggering  limbs  and  trembling  lips  I 
took  from  out  their  hiding-place  those  cursed 
papers,  and,  together  with  the  letter,  I  tore  them 
into  fragments.  And  these  I  placed  within  a 
brazen  bowl  and  set  alight,  and  as  I  watched 
them  burn,  my  door  was  opened  by  the  priest. 

And  his  face,  too,  bespoke  of  inward  strife. 

The  hour  was  late,  but  we  heeded  it  not. 

"  Friend,"  said  he,  "  to-night  thou  hast 
tormented  my  peace;  for,  as  I  knelt  and  prayed 
before  the  Cross  of  our  dying  Saviour,  a  Voice 
bade  me  go  and  succour  thee,  for  It  said,  '  A 
legion  of  devils  tear  and  torment  him.  Hell 
rages  around  him,  and  Satan  hopes  to  count 
among  his  host  one  more  to  carry  on  the  vast 
work  of  unbelief.' 

"  When  this  Voice  had  ceased,  another  spoke. 

" c  Tarry  not !  Go  with  speed,  and  pray 
without  ceasing,  lest  the  Evil  One  rejoice 
exceedingly.' 

"  And  my  soul  poured  itself  out  in  bitterness 
lest  help  be  denied  thee. 

"  But  as  I  clothed  myself,  my  fear  lightened ; 


154  TESTORE 

and  now,  behold,  thy  face  tells  me  that  the  devil 
has  been  foiled,  for  God  and  His  angels  have 
prevailed.  The  evil  is  rent  from  thy  heart,  and 
all  is  well." 

In  silence  I  bowed  my  head,  and  pointed  to 
the  smouldering  embers  which  told  their  own 
tale ;  and  after  the  recitation  of  the  prayer  from 
one  from  whom  an  Evil  Power  has  been 
exorcised,  I  told  him  all  my  story. 

Ere  I  had  done,  the  dawn  had  crept  in  on  us. 

And  the  priest  led  me  to  the  window,  through 
which  shone  the  glowing  colours  of  the  rising 
sun. 

"  May  He  Whose  Power  will  guide  that 
brilliant  orb  till  time  has  passed,  and  earth  is 
not,  pour  His  Strength  and  Truth  into  thy 
heart. 

"Thanks  be  to  Him  Who  hath  already 
vouchsafed  to  thee  deliverance  from  the  Evil 
One  by  the  help  of  His  Gracious  Messengers." 

And  "  Amen  "  said  I  fervently,  with  closed 
eyes  and  bent  head. 


PART   II 

CHAPTER  I 

IT  was  the  year  1688. 

Rumours  had  reached  us  of  the  unrest  of 
that  country  whose  safety  is  so  well  guarded  by 
the  many  waters  which  surround  her,  and  often 
the  priest  and  I  talked  on  this  matter. 

He,  as  a  good  Catholic,  leaned  towards  that 
unhappy  monarch  who  was  so  soon  to  be  a 
wanderer  and  an  outcast,  dependent  on  France 
for  his  very  sustenance. 

Since  that  night  when  so  much  of  the 
marvellous  had  been  revealed  to  me,  I,  too, 
had  been  a  good  son  of  the  Church  outwardly, 
but  to  none  I  spoke  of  my  inner  thoughts,  nay, 
not  even  to  the  man  who  had  proved  himself  to 
be  my  friend. 

I  knew  that  there  was  no  harm,  nay,  good, 
in  my  sharing  the  services  with  others  in  11 
Duomo.  Confession  and  Mass  I  attended  at 
the  set  hours ;  the  poor-box  received  my  weekly 
dole,  yet  these  ceremonies  were  for  me  the 


156  TESTORE 

empty  shell  of  religion.  Neither  worthless 
nor  unnecessary  deemed  I  them,  since  the  time 
was  not  yet  when  man  could  nurture  his  soul 
without  the  visible  tokens  which  were  but 
symbolical  of  so  much.  But  one  to  whom 
spiritual  visions  have  been  granted,  needs  not 
the  outer  signs  to  teach  him  of  the  hidden 
mysteries  of  life. 

The  cover  of  a  book  is  of  small  moment 
to  the  scholar  who  craves  to  learn  of  the  written 
wonders  within ;  but  if  it  attracts  those  who 
otherwise  would  let  the  book  pass  by,  then 
is  its  outer  appearance  of  import  to  many. 

I  had  aged  greatly  during  these  past  years. 
Still  young  as  men  count  time,  my  hair  was 
tinged  with  grey,  for  that  awful  night  had  left 
its  mark  on  me. 

I  lived  much  alone,  spending  my  hours  in 
the  study  of  languages  when  not  at  work  upon 
my  beloved  fiddles. 

One  evening,  the  priest,  who  was  now  Vescovo 
di  Milano,  came  to  me  with  eyes  aglow  and 
features  alive  with  excitement,  for  he  had 
received  a  command  from  Rome  to  journey  to 
England,  and  there  to  perform  a  certain  work 
which  he  kept  secret  from  me.  As  a  layman 
he  was  to  travel,  but  could  take  with  him  a 
companion  whom  he  could  trust,  one  who 


TESTORE  157 

might  be  an  aid  to  him  and  his  Church,  should 
occasion  arise  for  such  help. 

And  he  chose  me,  and  since  1  wished  to  see 
strange  lands,  I  was  only  too  glad  to  avail 
myself  of  the  offer. 

The  mission  brooked  of  little  delay,  therefore 
we  speedily  made  preparations,  and  within  a  few 
days  were  ready  to  set  forth. 


CHAPTER   II 

OUR  way  lay  through  Flanders,  and  hence, 
by  ship  across  that  sea  of  which  1  had  so  often 
heard,  for  men  had  spoken  to  me  of  the  anger 
of  its  waves,  and  the  glories  of  its  calm. 

We  were  disguised  as  two  merchants  who 
traded  with  the  English  port  of  London.  We 
had  been  provided  well  with  money,  and  like- 
wise, the  Vescovo  carried  letters  to  introduce 
us  to  certain  houses  in  that  city. 

We  journeyed  slowly,  my  friend  taking  note 
of  all  that  chanced  by  the  way,  for  this  was  part 
of  his  work ;  and  each  night  ere  we  lay  down  to 
rest,  he  wrote  in  signs,  unknown  to  me,  that  he 
considered  worthy  of  remembrance. 

We  reached  the  coast  in  safety,  and  there  we 
boarded  the  ship  which  was  to  carry  us  to  that 
town  of  strange  people,  and  ways,  where  the 
sky  is  grey,  and  night  oft  extends  all  day. 

Ah   me !     I    liked    not    that   voyage.     Our 

bark  was  tossed  hither  and  thither.     The  sea 

was  as  a  live  monster,  and  we,  its  prey.     For 

hours  I  lay  upon  my  back,  and  my  companion 

158 


TESTORE  159 

was  one  long  groan.  As  for  the  food,  I  could 
not  eat  it,  for  it  was  so  coarse,  and  1  knew  not 
the  name  of  the  dishes  that  were  set  before  us. 

We  were  weary-looking  strangers  when  we 
stepped  on  to  England's  shores,  and  though 
we  both  thought  that  we  knew  the  speech  of 
this  country,  yet  comprehended  we  not  the 
swift  flow  of  words  which  greeted  our  several 
questions. 

On  this  side  and  that  we  were  jostled  and 
pushed.  Dark  looks  were  cast  at  us  when 
we  at  last  spoke  in  our  own  tongue. 

And  ever  a  stream  of  people  passed  by,  who 
stared  rudely  at  us  as  we  stood  there  with  our 
bales  of  silk  at  our  side. 

Suddenly  a  hand  fell  on  my  shoulder,  and 
in  our  own  speech  we  heard  the  words, 
"  Methinks  ye  are  strangers  to  this  city  ? " 

And  looking  up,  I  saw  that  a  giant  gazed 
down  on  me,  for  he  who  had  thus  spoken  so 
kindly  was  a  man  of  a  great  height. 

And  I  poured  out  our  woes  to  him. 

Quickly  he  comprehended  our  difficulties, 
and  comforted  us,  saying,  that  he  could 
conduct  us  to  an  inn  where  food  was  to  be 
had  to  our  liking,  and  what  was  more,  rest. 

He  advised  us  to  leave  our  merchandise  at 
the  port  till  the  morrow,  but  on  seeing  our 


160  TESTORE 

dubious  looks,  he  assured  us  that  they  would 
be  safe,  for  Englishmen  were  not  thieves. 
And  at  these  words  we  looked  ashamed. 

He  led  us  through  many  streets,  chattering 
of  the  news  of  the  day.  His  name  he  said, 
was  Richard  Marsh,  and  he  had  that  very 
morning  despatched  a  cargo,  and  had  hoped 
to  hear  of  the  arrival  of  another,  but  the  bad 
weather  had  delayed  the  vessel. 

He  was  quite  at  liberty  to  help  us,  and 
would  be  pleased  to  see  us  on  the  morrow, 
if  we  so  willed.  He  made  me  repeat  the 
names  of  several  things,  and  was  delighted 
when  1  remembered  them.  There  were  great 
doings,  said  he,  at  the  present  time,  for  the 
King  was  a  Papist,  which  word  I  soon  per- 
ceived meant  Catholic,  and  his  subjects  for 
the  most  part  hated  them.  Now,  though  I 
knew  not  whether  Richard  Marsh  was  one 
or  no,  my  heart  went  out  to  him,  he 
was  so  big,  and  yet  so  friendly,  and  his  merry 
laugh  greatly  cheered  me. 

"  You  have  come  just  in  time  to  witness  the 
great  struggle  'twixt  the  King  and  the  Pro- 
testants," added  he.  "  Were  our  Majesty  a 
wise  man  he  would  withdraw  certain  of  his 
commands,  but  the  House  of  Stuart  ever 
helps  in  its  own  downfall." 


TESTORE  161 

All  this  was  incomprehensible  to  me,  but 
later  I  understood  much  of  the  fierce  opposition 
'twixt  the  royal  sovereign  and  his  people. 

And  whilst  Richard  Marsh  was  strongly 
opposed  to  many  of  the  King's  opinions,  he 
was  by  no  means  in  favour  of  the  party  feeling 
against  him,  and  afterwards  was  a  partisan  for 
his  unlucky  infant  son  who  many  declared  was 
not  the  lawful  child  of  James  II. 

As  the  days  passed,  the  blond  giant  often 
sought  my  company,  and  we  would  walk 
abroad  together. 

I  was  with  him  on  that  day  when  all 
London  waited  to  hear  the  fate  of  those  seven 
brave  men  who  had  defied  their  Majesty's 
commands. 

And  when  it  was  proclaimed  that  these  were 
not  guilty,  there  fell  upon  that  great  assembly 
an  intense  silence  that  lasted  but  a  second  ere 
they  broke  out  into  that  tremendous  outburst 
of  joy  that  shook  the  buildings,  and  echoed 
far  till  even  James's  own  men  responded,  and 
gun  and  cannon  added  their  voice  to  the 
people's  wild  cry  of  triumph. 

I  alone  held  my  tongue,  for  a  wave  of  pity 
passed  through  me  at  the  downfall  of  the 
King. 

"  Shout,  man,  shout  !  "  and  the  giant  gave 

M 


1 62  TESTORE 

me  such  a  prod  that  truly  I  did  shout,  though 
not  for  the  same  reason  as  the  crowd. 

We  were  tightly  wedged  in  among  the  mass, 
and  it  was  some  days  before  I  recovered  from 
the  bruises  that  I  had  received  from  the  push- 
ing, elbowing  men  and  women,  but  the  one 
the  giant  gave  me  was  the  largest  and  the 
blackest  of  them  all.  Alas  for  me  should  I 
quarrel  with  him. 

"  They  are  mad !  "  I  cried. 

«  Hush  !  "  he  replied. 

"  Wherefore,"  I  retorted,  "  all  this  tumult  ? 
Surely  it  is  not  only  because  these  men  have 
been  freed  ? " 

My  companion  laughed  heartily. 

"  Little  one,"  said  he,  but  in  such  a  way  that 
I  could  not  take  offence,  for  I  was  small  beside 
him,  being  under  six  feet,  while  he  was  well 
over  it  and  gigantic  of  girth,  "  I  see  that  I 
must  teach  thee  yet  more  of  this  affair.  These 
shouts  are  not,  as  thou  dost  truly  say,  only 
because  the  Bishops  have  been  declared  "  not 
guilty,"  but  because  to-day  heralds  in,  me- 
thinks,  the  downfall  of  Papacy  in  this  land." 

And  Richard  Marsh  sighed. 

"  I  am  a  Papist,"  I  answered  boldly. 

u  That  may  be,"  replied  he  ;  "  but  thou  art 
neither  an  Englishman  nor  a  Spaniard." 


TESTORE  163 

"  I  do  not  understand  thee." 

Richard  Marsh  smiled,  saying,  "  In  truth 
ye  can  not,  for  thou  lackest  our  stubborn 
nature,  neither  do  ye  possess  the  cold-blooded 
cruelty  of  the  men  of  Spain.  Often  I  have 
thought  that  thou  art  no  merchant  ;  and  as 
for  thy  friend " 

I  started,  but  again  he  smiled.  "  Say  naught 
to  me  of  him.  Perchance,  he  is  not  the  only 
one  who  plays  a  part  in  these  dangerous  times, 
and  appears  to  be  other  than  that  he  really  is." 

And  again  my  companion  sighed. 

Two  days  after,  we  sat  in  the  same  inn  which 
was  our  favourite  resort.  However,  presently 
we  strolled  forth,  and  we  came  to  a  part  of  the 
city  that  was  strange  to  me  ;  but  it  led  us  to 
the  bank  of  that  river  of  which  the  citizens  of 
London  are  so  proud.  Halting  by  a  small 
landing-stage,  the  giant  whistled,  and  immedi- 
ately a  boat  came  towards  us,  rowed  by  a 
serving-man. 

Now  since  I  had  set  foot  in  this  land  I  had 
not  again  imperilled  my  life  upon  the  water. 
Richard  Marsh  laughed  when  he  saw  my 
dubious  looks,  and  sought  to  reassure  me  by 
saying  that  this  would  be  but  a  river  journey, 
therefore  I  took  without  further  ado  the  seat 
that  awaited  me. 


164  TESTORE 

Ah  !  How  I  enjoyed  our  progress  down 
the  stream,  with  its  ugly  yet  fascinating  wharfs 
so  laden  with  barrels  that  stood  ready  to  be 
shipped !  We  passed,  too,  ungainly  barges, 
several  of  which  bore  on  their  decks  as  cargo 
grunting  swine. 

When  at  last  we  made  our  moorings  fast  it 
was  late  in  the  day,  and  I  hesitated  ere  I  leapt 
on  land. 

"  You  may  not  return  to  the  city,"  said 
Richard  Marsh,  "  and  my  house  is  close  at 
hand." 

"  But,"  1  expostulated,  "  my  friend  will  be 
alarmed  if  I  join  him  not  this  evening." 

"  Nay,"  was  the  answer  1  received,  "  he  will 
not  fear  for  thee,  for  he  knows  of  my  intent 
to  keep  thee  as  my  guest." 

So  amazed  was  I  by  the  way  in  which  I  had 
been  entrapped,  though  courteously  enough, 
for  a  night's  hospitality,  that  I  wondered  not 
then  at  the  change  in  his  voice  as  he  uttered 
these  words. 

We  struck  a  path  leading  away  from  the 
water,  and  soon  came  to  a  high  wall,  which 
we  skirted  until  we  reached  a  door  with  a 
strong  lock.  This  my  host,  producing  a  key, 
unlocked,  and  when  we  had  entered  the  en- 
closure that  lay  beyond  it,  he  carefully  secured 


TESTORE  165 

it  again.  Then  bade  he  me  to  say  how  I  liked 
his  garden. 

"  It  is  but  a  gloomy  place,"  replied  I,  for 
instead  of  a  gay  parterre  wherein  gallants  would 
delight  to  walk  with  some  beauteous  lady  at 
their  side,  I  saw  but  a  large  square  court  over- 
shadowed by  huge  oaks  and  beeches. 

"A  straight  answer,"  said  he.  "Yet  to- 
morrow thou  shalt  walk  in  my  flower-garden, 
for  I  have  one,  though  not  at  this  side  of  my 
dwelling." 

He  led  the  way  across  this  court  to  where 
an  oaken  door,  studded  with  iron  nails,  stood 
slightly  ajar.  Pushing  it  open,  we  passed 
through  to  find  ourselves  in  a  spacious  hall. 

"  Deborah  !     Deborah  !  " 

His  lusty  voice  resounded  through  it,  and 
the  echoes  were  caught  up  and  thrown  back 
to  us  from  the  wall  and  stairway,  down  which 
came  hurrying  the  daintiest  Englishwoman  I 
have  ever  seen. 

She  gave  a  low  cry  of  joy  when  she  saw 
who  it  was  that  stood  there,  and  ran  to  him 
with  outstretched  arms. 

"  Oh, -Dick  !  Dick  !  "  said  she  lovingly. 

He  lifted  her  from  off  her  feet,  then  set  her 
gently  down,  saying,  "  See,  I  have  brought  my 
Italian  friend." 


1 66  TESTORE 

And  I  noticed  a  look  which  I  comprehended 
not  at  that  time  pass  between  them. 

She  turned  to  me  blushing,  for  she  had  not 
known  that  there  was  another  present  when 
she  had  greeted  her  lord  so  tenderly. 

1  bowed  ;  but  she  took  my  hand,  welcoming 
me  kindly. 

"  In  truth,  sir,"  said  she,  and  the  sound  of 
her  low-pitched  voice  was  very  pleasing  to  my 
ear,  for  I  had  thought  the  English  speech 
hard,  but  I  had  yet  to  learn  that  there  were 
many  who  spoke  as  she  did,  "  I  am  pleased  to 
meet  you.  My  husband,"  and  she  uttered 
these  words  shyly,  "  has  often  told  me  tales 
of  your  country  and  its  treasures." 

Low  bent  I  over  her  hand  as  I  replied, 
"  Yet,  since  it  cannot  claim  you  as  its  subject, 
it  lacks  much." 

She  laughed,  in  no  wise  angered  at  my 
words.  Then  said  she,  "  Come,  sirs,  supper 
is  ready,  and  I  am  hungry." 

"  Methinks,"  answered  my  host,  "  thy  hunger 
is  as  naught  compared  with  mine.  Now,  at 
last,  signore,  thou  shalt  have  a  royal  meal,  for 
I  count  not  the  food  thou  dost  eat  befitting 
men." 

And,  of  a  truth,  the  richly  spread  table  was 
a  wonder  to  me. 


TESTORE  167 

A  monstrous  pie,  surrounded  by  many  viands 
of  which  I  knew  not  the  name,  filled  the  larger 
part  of  the  table,  which  was  by  no  means  a 
small  one. 

And  added  to  all  these  things  was  a  huge 
portion  of  meat,  which  my  hostess  told  me 
was  the  famous  roast  beef  of  this  land,  and  I 
must  confess  that,  after  I  had  partaken  thereof, 
I  owned  that  it  was  good. 

Howbeit,  in  spite  of  the  strange  fare,  and  the 
manner  in  which  it  was  cooked  and  served,  I 
made  a  good  meal ;  and  the  lady  of  the  house, 
too,  ate  not  amiss  for  such  a  tiny  person. 

Methinks  the  English  appetites  are  like  unto 
their  nature,  being  somewhat  big  and  heavy. 


CHAPTER   III 

WHEN  the  morrow  came  1  fain  would  have 
departed,  but  my  host  said  gravely,  "  Not 
to-day." 

And  there  was  that  in  his  voice  and  manner 
which  told  me  that  some  mystery  was  afloat 
in  which  I  unknowingly  played  a  part. 

Moreover,  I  felt  somewhat  of  a  prisoner  in 
this  house,  surrounded  by  those  high  walls 
impossible  to  scale  ;  but  when  I  spake  thereof 
to  Richard  Marsh,  he  smiled,  saying,  "  Never 
had  a  man  a  more  faithful  friend  than  I,  but 
there  is  still  much  turmoil  in  the  city,  and  the 
dislike  of  strangers  that  is  bred  in  the  bones 
of  most  Englishmen,  makes  me  fear  for  thee 
till  these  turbulent  days  be  passed." 

"  But  my  friend " 

"  For  him  thou  needst  have  no  fear,  and  he 
knows  that  thou  art  safe  with  me." 

"If  I  could  but  send  him  a  message." 

"Thou  mayst,  if  thou  wilt  permit  that  I 
bear  it  to  him." 

My  host  was  absent  all  that  day,  and  on  the 
168 


TESTORE  169 

morrow  as  well,  and  they  were  long  days  to 
me.  I  strolled  about  the  garden,  chattering 
with  Mistress  Marsh,  but  my  heart  was  in 
the  city,  and  I  disliked  exceedingly  these  long 
hours  of  forced  inaction. 

I  yearned  for  my  land,  and  when  at  last 
Richard  Marsh  returned  there  was  that  in  his 
demeanour  which  forbade  me  to  question  him, 
and  thus  some  days  passed. 

Long  hours  I  spent  in  playing,  and  if  my 
music  sounded  full  of  despair  it  but  voiced  my 
thoughts,  for  I  was  so  weary  of  my  enforced 
sojourn  in  this  house  of  mysteries.  For  I  had 
noticed  oft  the  comings  and  goings  of  many 
men  ;  and  one  day,  by  chance,  I  entered  a  room 
which  was  new  to  me,  and  before  I  could 
retreat,  my  quick  eyes  had  seen  a  crucifix,  and 
Mistress  Deborah  was  on  her  knees  before  it. 

Was  her  husband  a  Catholic  in  disguise  ? 

His  wife  was  one,  for  the  look  upon  her 
face  as  she  knelt  there  told  me  that  she  was 
one  who  would  sacrifice  all  for  her  faith. 

One  morning,  as  usual  I  betook  myself  to 
a  room,  an  oak-panelled  apartment,  whose 
gloominess  appealed  to  me  in  my  mood  of 
doubt  and  perplexity,  and  there  I  began  to  play. 

A  faint  rustle,  a  half-checked  sigh,  fell  on 
my  ear. 


i  yo  TESTORE 

I  turned. 

My  God  !     It  was  my  beautiful  lady  ! 

She  placed  her  finger  on  her  lip,  for  foot- 
steps warned  us  that  some  one  was  nigh,  but 
they  passed  on.  Then  she  spake  rapidly  to 
me.  Her  eyes  shone  with  excitement,  which 
likewise  vibrated  in  her  tones. 

"  Testore  !  A  meeting  of  import  will  be 
held  here  this  night.  And  if  they  ask  thee, 
although  thou  mayst  not  fully  understand  the 
wherefore  of  this  request  to  do  aught  for 
them,  then,  Carlo,  do  that  that  they  may  ask 
of  thee.  The  Church  punishes,  but  she  can 
likewise  reward." 

Low  bent  I  over  her  hand,  and  would  have 
kissed  it,  but  she  drew  it  away  from  mine. 

"  Not  yet,  Testore  ;  first  fulfil  my  behest, 
nay,  the  behest  of  the  one  true  Church,  and 
remember,  those  who  aid  her  are  blessed." 

Her  fingers  clung  to  the  tapestry  which 
hung  from  the  wall.  So  overwhelmed  was  I 
that  methought  I  dreamt,  and  dreaming,  must 
awake.  Fain  would  I  have  said  so  much  to 
her,  and  yet  I  was  mute.  My  eyes  gazed 
longingly  on  her,  while  life  and  hope  surged 
in  my  veins. 

a  Testore  mio  !  " 

She  lifted  the  curtain. 


TESTORE  171 

Could  I  let  her  go  ? 

She  turned,  her  face  alit  with  a  glorious 
smile. 

"  Remember,  do  that  they  ask  thee  !  " 

The  tapestry  had  again  dropped  into  its  folds, 
and  still  I  stood  speechless  and  motionless. 

The  sound  of  the  closing  of  a  door  recalled 
me  to  myself. 

Lifting  my  fiddle,  I  played  with  all  the 
passion  of  a  soul  who,  while  sorrowing  for  lost 
joys,  awakes  to  happiness. 

A  man's  hearty  voice  resounded  through 
the  hall,  and  Richard  Marsh  entered  into  the 
room.  As  I  turned  to  greet  him,  I  saw  that 
hope  had  visited  him,  for  his  eyes  shone  with 
eagerness.  Taking  my  hand,  he  grasped  it 
tightly,  while  he  spoke  excitedly  and  with 
determination. 

"Testore,  I  beg  of  thee  a  boon.  It  is  no 
slight  thing  that  thou  alone  canst  do  for  us. 
To-night  men  meet  here  to  confer  on  great 
affairs,  and  votes  will  be  taken  as  to  our  deci- 
sion ;  but  ere  they  are  cast,  I  shall  place  my 
hands  so,"  and  he  laid  his  right  across  the  left, 
"  then  thou  wilt  play,  Testore,  even  as  thou 
didst  play  when  I  came  in  to  thee.  Methinks 
thereby  men's  hearts  will  be  touched,  and 
right  shall  prevail." 


172  TESTORE 

I  knew  not  what  to  say.  Methought  of  my 
beautiful  lady,  and  the  memory  of  the  pleading 
look  within  her  eyes  bade  me  consent. 

And  Richard  Marsh  was  satisfied. 

That  night  I  sat  among  many  strange  men. 
Long  and  low  they  talked  to  one  another,  till 
one  arose  and  spoke  to  all. 

"  Men  of  England,"  said  he,  "  it  is  an  evil 
thing  that  we  should  rob  an  infant  of  his  birth- 
right, for  Mary  of  Modena's  son  is  the  heir  to 
the  throne.  Let  us  pledge  our  lives  to  his 
cause,  for  it  is  not  good  that  England's  crown 
be  worn  by  him  who  is  not  an  Englishman." 

He  paused,  but  none  responded  to  his 
appeal. 

Again  he  sought  to  arouse  their  sympathy 
for  the  infant  prince,  but  in  vain. 

Then  Richard  Marsh  laid  his  right  hand 
across  the  left. 

And,  arising,  I  played. 

Memories  of  Fanciullina's  happy,  innocent 
childhood  were  strong  upon  me,  and  if  other 
thoughts  stirred  my  veins,  who  could  wonder 
thereat  ? 

The  gloom  on  the  faces  around  me  lightened. 
I  had  touched  their  hearts,  and  childhood  was 
sacred  to  them.  They  would  not  wrong  the 
babe  whom  some  believed  to  be  of  royal  birth, 


TESTORE  173 

and  for  just  one  second  I  saw  Angela  mio  with 
the  light  of  a  great  joy  reflected  on  her  face, 
and  whose  half-parted  lips  breathed  anew  of 
life  to  me. 

She  vanished,  and  my  music  was  one  mad 
burst  of  the  beauty  of  life  and  love.  Then 
those  stern  Englishmen,  whose  might  is  the 
sword,  and  who  knew  naught  of  the  wild  feel- 
ings that  music  awakens  in  the  hearts  of  the 
true  Italian,  rose  to  their  feet,  and  applauded 
loud  and  long. 

My  part  was  done,  and  Richard  Marsh  had 
won  his  way,  led  by  his  wife's  devotion  to 
render  help  to  an  innocent  babe. 

Much  they  talked  again,  and  I  still  sat 
amidst  them  with  my  fiddle  under  my  arm. 
Methinks  that  they  forgot  me,  so  absorbed 
were  they  in  their  undertakings ;  but  presently, 
when  papers  were  signed,  the  master  of  the 
house  brought  wine  in  which  to  pledge  success 
to  their  bold  plot  to  frustrate  the  plans  of  him 
of  Holland.  Even  I  was  called  upon  to  drink 
their  toast,  but  first  one  asked  me  to  play  yet 
again. 

And  now  no  mad  riot  of  hope  and  joy  were 
in  my  notes.  Naught  came  forth  from  under- 
neath my  fingers  save  a  sad  lament. 

The  faces  that  so  lately  had  been  alit  with 


i74  TESTORE 

eagerness  grew  tense  with  misery,  and  as  I 
played  we  heard  the  sound  of  horse's  hoofs 
below  in  the  courtyard.  Our  host  arose  and 
left  us,  whilst  I  continued  playing,  and  though 
I  would  not,  only  this  mournful  dirge  fell 
upon  our  ears.  A  torch  above  me  suddenly 
flared  high;  the  others  had  long  since  burnt 
out,  and  I  had  played  by  this  one  light  alone. 
Then  sank  its  flame  exhausted  and  well-nigh 
extinguished,  and  at  the  same  moment  the 
bridge  upon  my  fiddle  snapped  in  twain. 

Amid  the  hush  that  followed,  Richard  Marsh 
came  into  the  darkened  room.  The  moon, 
which  shone  in  through  the  lattice  panes, 
showed  faces  pale  and  full  of  uneasy  appre- 
hension. 1  alone  stood,  holding  the  toneless 
fiddle,  her  dear  fiddle,  which  I  had  received  on 
that  day  so  long  ago  when  she  had  given  her 
crucifix  to  me,  and  I  had  bidden  her  farewell 
for  ever,  as  I  then  had  thought. 

"  Friends  !  all  is  lost !  William  of  Orange 
fast  approaches  our  shores.  Ye  must  disperse 
while  there  is  time,  for  as  yet  thy  names  be  not 
known  of  a  certainty ;  and  I,  as  ye  well  know, 
will  not  betray  thee,  but  remain  here,  and  pass 
as  ever  as  Richard  Marsh,  a  merchant  of 
neither  fame  nor  ambition." 

Dawn   had   broken    when   they  at   last   de- 


TESTORE  175 

parted,  leaving  their  host  alone  with  me.  I 
dare  not  speak  to  him,  for  so  sombre  were  his 
looks;  but  I  sought  my  chamber,  though  sleep 
I  could  not,  but  lay  tossing  on  my  couch  till 
the  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens. 


CHAPTER   IV 

THE  house  appeared  deserted  when  I  at  last 
left  my  room.  Even  Mistress  Deborah  could 
not  be  found,  though  we  often  spent  a  while 
each  day  in  pleasant  chatter. 

Aimlessly  I  wandered  about  the  place, 
longing  for  a  glimpse  of  my  beautiful  lady. 
The  servants  were  courteous,  but  silent  of 
tongue.  I  ate  my  midday  meal  alone,  but 
when  twilight  came  I  was  still  alone  in  that 
house  of  mystery. 

That  night  I  heard  a  cautious  step  without 
my  chamber  door  ;  then  some  one  knocked, 
but  so  gently,  that  had  I  been  asleep  it  would 
not  have  awakened  me.  Arising  quickly,  I 
opened  the  door  ;  whereon  my  host,  fully 
dressed  for  the  road,  entered,  warning  me  by 
a  glance  not  to  speak  till  he  was  within  the 
chamber. 

Then  he  spoke. 

"  Attire  thyself  in  these,"  said  he,  placing  a 
bundle  on  the  floor  ;  "  and,  yes,"  he  touched 
my  head,  and  held  up  to  view  a  pair  of  scissors. 

"  Hush  !  "  for  I  began  to  expostulate  ;  "  if 
176 


TESTORE  177 

we  are  heard,  both  our  lives  may  be  forfeited. 
Listen  !  I  have  a  boat  and  a  man  to  row,  in 
waiting  for  thee.  Thou  must  trust  thyself  to 
him.  Follow  him  whither  he  may  take  thee, 
placing  thyself  in  his  hands.  When  all  is  safe 
I  shall  send  one  for  thee.  Remember,  ask  no 
questions.  Speak  as  little  as  possible,  using 
the  words  which  thou  dost  know  the  best." 

Soon  my  curls  lay  scattered  upon  the  floor  ; 
and  when  dressed  in  the  clothes  which  Richard 
Marsh  had  brought  with  him,  I  bore  little 
likeness  to  myself,  save  for  my  dark  eyes, 
which  he  could  not  alter  ;  for  even  my  eye- 
lashes had  not  been  spared,  only  they  had  not 
been  so  ruthlessly  clipped  as  my  hair.  And 
to  complete  the  change  in  my  appearance,  my 
face  was  rubbed  with  a  soft,  damp  mixture. 
And  behold,  I  was  no  more  Testore,  the  fiddle- 
maker  of  Milano,  but  a  creature  of  no  land. 

"  Now,"  said  my  host,  "  thy  name  is 
Thomas,  and  thou  art  recovering  from  a 
fever." 

He  secreted  the  box  which  contained  the 
withal  to  render  me  pale  about  me  whilst  he 
continued  his  commands. 

"  Each  morning  rub  it  well  on  neck  and 
face,  hands  and  arms,  and  God  grant  that  thou 
dost  see  thy  country  again." 


1 78  TESTORE 

He  hurried  me  from  the  room,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  his  honest  blue  eyes,  I  would  have 
feared  that  never  again  I  should  behold  the 
Italian  sky,  or  lie  in  the  glorious  sunshine  of 
that  country. 

Outside  he  wrapped  me  in  a  cloak  of  ample 
size,  and  bidding  me  keep  tongue,  he  led  the 
way  to  the  riverside,  where  stood  the  man  who 
was  to  accompany  me  whither  I  knew  not  yet. 

There  was  a  sound  as  of  money  changing 
hands,  and  my  giant  friend  left  me,  only  giving 
me  a  grip  of  the  hand  as  farewell,  which  but 
increased  my  already  great  faith  in  him. 

To  the  man  he  spoke  loudly  enough  for  me 
to  hear. 

"  Thou  shalt  receive  the  same  amount  when 
I  see  thee  again,  provided  that  my  cousin 
Thomas  is  well  of  his  sickness.  Tell  Dame 
Margaret  to  give  him  but  light  fare,  and  little 
of  her  ale  to  drink." 

And  now  I  was  embarked  again  upon  a 
perilous  journey,  the  dangers  of  which  1 
comprehended  not  till  long  afterwards. 

The  man,  who  had  a  not  unkindly  face, 
though  his  appearance  was  somewhat  crude, 
and  he  was  very  dirty,  being  begrimed  with 
coal-dust,  rowed  me  quickly  but  silently  down 
the  river.  So  quietly  we  glided  along,  that 


TESTORE  179 

we  might  have  been  shadows  only.  Once 
or  twice  my  companion  muttered  something 
which  I  could  not  understand,  and  I  knew 
not  whether  it  was  addressed  to  me,  or  some 
thought  expressed  aloud. 

I  held  tongue  according  to  my  orders,  and 
not  even  when  we  drifted  close  to  an  ungainly 
barge  did  I  speak. 

To  it  we  made  fast,  and  I  was  pulled  up  a 
rope  ladder,  and  across  the  deck  down  some 
steps  into  a  small,  evil-smelling  cabin. 

"  Now,  Master  Thomas,  thou  dost  see  that 
hammock.  There  thou  must  lie  as  still  as  if 
moving  meant  Purgatory.  Thy  cousin  once 
saved  me  from  an  evil  hauling,  and  set  me  on 
my  legs  when  I  bid  fair  to  go  to  the  place 
which  perhaps  thou  art  nigh  to.  It  is  not 
because  thou  art  of  kin  to  him  that  I  run  my 
neck  in  danger  of  a  noose  ;  but  for  his  sake, 
and  likewise  the  price  paid  to  me  for  thy  safety 
will  set  me  up  in  a  pig-yard  of  my  own.  So, 
till  1  bid  thee  do  otherwise,  lie  close." 

He  turned  on  his  heels  and  left  me,  locking 
the  door  on  the  outside,  and  withdrawing  the 
key. 

And  there  I  lay  for  hours,  suffering  from 
lack  of  air. 

Above  I  heard  heavy  sounds  of  bumping, 


i8o  TESTORE 

the  rattling  of  chains  mingled  with  the  sound 
of  loud  voices,  and  the  tramping  of  feet. 

As  the  day  neared  noontide,  a  tiny  ray  of 
sunlight  pierced  the  porthole,  which  was  only 
ajar.  I  did  not  dare  to  open  it  wide,  but  I 
laid  my  face  close  to  it  every  now  and  then. 

It  might  have  been  late  afternoon  when  I  at 
last  felt  the  barge  move  as  though  released 
from  her  moorings,  and  a  blessed  waft  of  air 
fanned  my  cheeks.  I  peered  out,  but  scarcely 
for  a  second,  lest  I  might  be  seen. 

Yes,  we  were  moving. 

I  heard  some  coarse  jest  pass  'twixt  one  on 
the  shore  and  one  on  deck,  and  soon  after, 
footsteps  approached  the  den  in  which  I  lay 
concealed. 

Instantly  I  laid  down,  and  closing  my  eyes, 
feigned  sleep. 

Almost  immediately  1  felt  a  hand  upon  my 
shoulder,  and  a  voice  said,  "  Now,  Master 
Thomas,  since  thou  hast  done  thy  part  so  well, 
thou  shalt  be  rewarded.  My  mate  lies  sound 
asleep,  therefore  thou  canst  join  me  on  deck 
if  thou  wouldst." 

Slowly  I  rose,  as  if  I  had  not  much  strength. 

"  Thou  shalt  sup  in  my  hall,"  said  he,  with 
a  chuckle  at  his  own  wit  ;  and  I,  glad  of  a 
respite  from  that  foul  cabin,  followed  him 


TESTORE  181 

gladly.  It  was  good  to  breathe  the  evening 
air,  and  I  drew  deep  breaths,  much  to  my 
companion's  amusement. 

Little,  indeed,  I  could  eat  of  the  rough  fare, 
but  I  watched  my  grimy  friend  drink  deep 
draughts  from  an  ungainly  goblet.  Then  he 
placed  a  pipe  between  his  lips,  and  after  it  was 
well  alight,  he  spat  on  the  deck  with  loathsome 
regularity. 

And  to  this  I  dare  not  object. 

Soon  he  began  to  talk  of  the  royal  family, 
against  whom  he  hurled  out  venomous  words, 
and  quite  content  to  have  a  listener,  he 
heeded  not  my  silence. 

Suddenly  he  roared  with  laughter. 

"  Two  spies  I  saw  sore  beset  but  a  while 
ago,  and  there  was  another  with  them,  but  I  saw 
Master  Dick  snatch  him  aside  into  a  passage, 
and  the  crowd  passed  on.  Methinks,"  and  he 
roared  again,  "  thy  cousin's  life  is  in  my  hands  ; 
but  he  is  a  brave  man,  and,  look  ye,  I  would 
slay  the  man  who  harmed  a  hair  of  his  head. 

"See,  Cousin  Thomas,"  and  he  made  me  an 
obeisance,  half  in  jest,  and  half  in  earnest,  "  I 
know  thee  not,  and  much  I  doubt  thy  kinship 
with  my  Master  Dick  ;  but  if  ever  thou  dost 
say  one  word  of  that  which  my  unlucky  tongue 
has  uttered,  I  will  throttle  thee  till  thy  eyes 


1 82  TESTORE 

burst  forth  from  their  sockets,  and  thy  pale 
face  is  as  black  as  the  coal-dust  upon  me." 

I  held  out  my  hand,  answering,  "  Master 
Dick  is  as  dear  to  me  as  to  thee,  and  I,  too, 
owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude." 

He  gripped  my  hands  so  tightly  that  I 
feared  each  finger  would  be  crushed. 

"  A  straight  bargain,"  replied  he,  "  and  may 
all  the  devils  in  hell  be  loosened  to  tear  me  to 
pieces  if  I  fail  in  aught  to  thee." 

And  so  1  made  another  English  friend. 

That  night  I  slept  with  the  porthole  flung 
wide  open.  I  had  begged  to  be  allowed  to 
remain  on  deck,  but  this  request  had  been 
refused  ;  and  it  was  as  well,  for  a  heavy  rain 
came  on  at  midnight. 

At  the  close  of  the  next  day  we  anchored  at 
a  place  where  sea  and  river  meet ;  again  I  was 
roused  in  the  dark,  and  taken  on  shore. 

The  bargeman  had  made  me  soil  myself 
with  grime  till  I  looked  like  his  twin  brother  as 
far  as  a  coaly  appearance  went.  After  drinking 
some  beer  at  a  filthy  tavern,  we  struck  inland. 

Many  miles  we  walked,  which  were  as  nothing 
to  my  companion,  who  knew  every  step  of  the 
way. 

At  length  we  stopped  before  a  cottage  where 
roses  in  summer  ran  riot  on  the  walls. 

He  tapped  on  the  window,  and  immediately 


TESTORE  183 

a  light  shone  within.  The  latch  was  lifted, 
and  a  portly  dame  appeared  in  the  doorway. 

He  of  the  coal-dust  kissed  her  with  much 
affection,  and  then  thrust  me  forward. 

Dame  Margaret  peered  at  me. 

"  He  is  black  enough  now,"  her  son  remarked, 
"  but  wait  till  thou  dost  see  his  white  face  when 
the  dirt  is  washed  off." 

"  Poor  lad  !  "  said  the  dame  ;  "  'tis  a  cruel 
walk  for  one  who  has  lain  under  fever."  And 
she  bustled  about,  adding  more  viands  to  those 
which  were  already  set  upon  the  table. 

I  could  have  eaten  heartily,  yet  must  I  obey 
the  commands  of  my  blond  friend  ;  and  I 
envied  the  bargeman,  who  ate  ravenously  of 
the  fare,  washing  it  down  with  huge  draughts 
of  beer,  which  his  mother  poured  into  a  cup 
which  resembled  naught  that  I  had  ever  seen, 
it  being  neither  of  metal  nor  of  glass,  but  of 
some  substance  not  unlike  the  horns  of  oxen. 

When  I  had  partaken  of  the  food  that  was 
set  before  me,  I  was  shown  into  a  small  chamber 
wherein  had  been  set  a  couch,  and  there,  lulled 
by  the  voices  in  the  next  room,  I  fell  asleep. 

When  I  awoke  it  was  broad  daylight,  and  I 
could  hear  the  comings  and  goings  of  the  good 
dame  as  she  clattered  the  plates  and  the  dishes, 
calling  now  and  again  to  the  pigs  and  the  fowls 
which  seemed  to  be  part  of  the  family. 


1 84  TESTORE 

Meanwhile  I  looked  around  me.  The  room 
contained  but  little  save  the  bed  and  a  carved 
oaken  chest,  and  I  wondered  idly  what  might 
be  therein,  not  knowing  that  it  guarded  the 
household  linen  and  those  garments  which  were 
worn  but  on  holy  days  and  festivals,  such  as 
marryings  and  christenings,  and,  for  the  last 
robing  of  all,  the  grave. 

Nevertheless,  the  chamber  was  very  clean, 
and  a  sweet  smell  pervaded  it,  which  I  knew 
not  then  to  be  lavender. 

Presently,  however,  I  must  have  fallen  asleep 
again,  for  I  remember  nothing  more  till  1  heard 
a  voice  exclaim — 

"  Dear  heart  !   how  ill  he  looks  !  " 

Thereon,  opening  my  eyes,  I  beheld  Dame 
Margaret  standing  beside  me  with  some  hot 
drink  which  she  prevailed  upon  me  to  swallow. 
That  day  she  did  not  allow  me  to  leave  my 
bed,  but  the  long  hours  thereof  was  much 
beguiled  by  her  chatter,  the  most  of  which  I 
could  not  comprehend. 

For  a  whole  week  I  remained  in  hiding. 
Each  day  I  skilfully  lessened  the  deadly  pallor 
of  my  countenance,  and  as  it  decreased,  so  did 
my  meals  increase,  till  at  last  ample  fare  took 
the  place  of  the  slight  nourishment  that  Dame 
Margaret  had  allowed  me. 


TESTORE  185 

I  grew  to  be  very  fond  of  her,  and  she  would 
chatter  for  hours  to  me,  without  troubling 
herself  whether  I  could  understand  her  or  not. 
So  the  time  passed,  and  often  I  wondered  much 
concerning  the  Vescovo  di  Milano.  Where 
was  he  ?  Was  all  well  with  him  ? 

It  was  seldom  indeed  that  I  took  the  air,  for 
it  was  only  at  dusk  that  I  was  permitted  to 
stroll  outside,  and  even  then  my  hostess  would 
hover  around  me  like  a  mother  hen  until  she 
had  me  safe,  not  beneath  her  wing,  but  under 
the  roof  of  her  cottage. 

Ten  days  thus  came  and  went,  and  my 
patience  had  waxed  very  low  when  there  arrived 
a  missive  from  Richard  Marsh. 

"  Trust  him  whom  I  send  for  thee  to-night. 
Obey  him  without  questioning,  and  God  grant 
that  all  goes  well  with  thee.  Be  ready  an  hour 
before  midnight,  and  say  to  him  only,  '  For 
King  and  Country.'  He  will  give  three  sharp 
taps  upon  the  window-pane,  but  tell  Dame 
Margaret  to  leave  thee  alone,  lest  she  learns 
too  much,  to  her  own  undoing." 

These  were  the  words  that  the  missive  con- 
tained, but  it  set  my  blood  coursing  rapidly, 
and  with  beating  heart  I  read  it  yet  again. 


CHAPTER  V 

WITH  the  sunset  that  night  a  storm  arose. 
I  sat  and  watched  the  sullen  clouds  drift  fitfully 
across  the  sky.  The  lurid  rays  of  the  setting 
sun  tipped  the  edges  of  some  of  them  with 
light  which  but  intensified  the  darkness  of  the 
rest ;  and  as  the  glow  faded,  a  wind  swept 
over  the  plain  with  a  low  moan.  The  heavens 
opened,  and  torrents  of  rain  fell.  Overhead 
the  thunder  pealed,  and  violet-flamed  lightning 
flashed  frequently. 

When  the  time  drew  nigh  to  midnight,  Dame 
Margaret,  lighting  her  candle,  bade  me  a  sad 
farewell,  for  we  had  become  friends,  and  it  lay 
heavily  on  our  minds  that  we  should  not  meet 
again. 

She  had  placed  on  the  table  a  huge  jug  of 
hot  spiced  ale,  platters  with  bread  and  cheese, 
and  some  cold  meat. 

She  begged  me  to  eat  and  to  drink,  and  to 

give  to  him  who  should  come  for  me.     Hardly 

had  she  departed  when  there  came  a  sharp  tap, 

thrice  repeated,  even  as  the  letter  had  said.     I 

186 


TESTORE  187 

opened  the  door,  and  in  stepped  a  brawny 
man  by  whose  side  I  appeared  but  small.  Of 
salutation  there  was  none,  though  he  nodded 
surlily  to  me  as  I  gave  the  pass-word.  I  bade 
him  to  eat  and  to  drink,  whereon  he  took  a 
mighty  draught  which  lessened  somewhat  his 
bearish  manner. 

Soon  we  were  outside,  with  the  wind  blowing 
fresh  and  strong  upon  us.  The  rain  had  ceased  ; 
at  whiles  the  moon  peeped  shyly  from  between 
the  clouds,  otherwise  the  night  was  dark,  since 
no  stars  could  be  seen. 

Where  the  going  was  difficult,  my  guide 
would  grip  my  hand,  but  he  said  not  a  word. 

We  walked  far  that  night,  and  when  at  last 
dawn  broke,  grey  and  cold,  we  stood  upon  a 
shore  by  the  open  sea. 

Thrice  my  companion  uttered  a  whistle  like 
unto  the  scream  of  a  wild  sea-bird.  Round 
the  corner  shot  a  skiff  which  soon  bore  me 
over  the  water. 

After  an  hour  we  gained  a  ship  which  rode 
at  anchor. 

Quickly  the  sailors  thereof  let  down  a  ladder 
at  our  near  approach.  Up  it  I  climbed,  and 
was  greeted  above  by  the  Captain,  who,  assisting 
me  on  deck,  spake  to  me  in  my  own  tongue. 

So  rejoiced  was  I   to  hear  my  own  speech 


1 88  TESTORE 

again  that  I  noticed  not  the  disappearance  of 
the  man  who  had  brought  me  hither.  In  the 
distance  his  boat  was  fast  dwindling  to  a  speck. 

Sails  were  hoisted,  the  anchors  lifted,  and  the 
wind  being  favourable,  we  were  soon  flying 
over  the  waves.  No  one  hindered  my  comings 
or  goings,  neither  did  any  question  me,  but  a 
few  words  from  the  Captain  made  me  com- 
prehend that  he  looked  on  me  as  a  mere 
traveller. 

Good  it  was  to  converse  with  one  of  my 
own  countrymen  again,  but  imagine  my  joy 
when,  on  entering  a  cabin,  I  found  within  it 
the  Vescovo  di  Milano. 

He  still  wore  his  lay  attire,  and  his  eyes, 
though  they  sought  to  conceal  his  delight  at 
seeing  me,  warned  me  not  to  show  surprise  at 
our  meeting  ;  and  it  was  not  until  Italian  soil 
was  under  our  feet  that  I  heard  the  story  of 
his  adventures. 

The  days  were  many  ere  we  sighted  Naples, 
and  much  I  suffered  from  yearnings  to  behold 
my  home.  Naught  could  I  eat,  but  I  sat 
watching  the  waves  of  the  ever-seething  ocean 
till  almost  I  forgot  its  beauty,  and  loathed  it 
exceedingly.  Once  we  were  nearly  wrecked, 
for  a  storm  tossed  us  miles  out  of  our  course  ; 
yet  we  at  length  sailed  into  the  Mediterranean 


TESTORE  189 

Sea,  and  gentle  breezes  wafted  us  slowly  across 
its  blue  waters. 

At  an  island  we  anchored  for  a  day,  and 
there  the  Vescovo  and  I  went  ashore.  Eagerly 
I  asked  him  of  his  news,  but  he  bade  me  wait  ; 
so  I  desisted,  much  as  I  longed  to  hear  the 
story  of  his  doings. 

When  we  boarded  the  ship  again,  another 
passenger  was  added  to  our  number,  a  fair 
man,  tall  and  slight,  with  a  curious  scar  running 
athwart  neck  and  chin.  He  scanned  me  as  we 
sauntered  past  him,  and  as  the  anchors  were 
lifted  and  sails  unfurled  he  paced  the  deck 
anxiously.  He  ate  apart,  and  but  little  we 
saw  of  him,  although  there  was  that  in  his 
demeanour  which  made  think  that  again  some 
mystery  was  afloat,  for  whenever  we  met  by 
chance,  he  appeared  to  watch  my  every  move- 
ment. 

At  length  we  sighted  Naples. 

As  the  ship  neared  her  moorings,  I  remained 
motionless  by  the  gangway.  So  eager  was  I 
to  land  that  I  forgot  my  friend,  till  suddenly 
I  remembered  that  I  had  not  seen  him  all 
that  day. 

Ashamed  of  my  thoughtless  selfishness,  I 
left  my  post,  and  crossed  the  deck  in  search 
of  him.  And  outside  the  Captain's  cabin  I 


1 90  TESTORE 

came  upon  him,  and  at  his  side  stood  the 
tall  man  of  the  scarred  countenance.  So 
absorbed  were  they  in  their  conversation  that 
they  noticed  me  not  ;  and  although  I  withdrew 
speedily,  it  was  not  before  I  had  heard  some 
words  that  recalled  to  my  mind  that  fateful 
day  of  the  meeting  in  the  house  of  Richard 
Marsh,  when  I  had  had  my  hopes  awakened 
only  to  be  dashed  to  the  ground. 

Chains  rattled,  planks  groaned,  and  there 
was  much  straining  of  ropes  ;  but  I  heeded 
not  now  our  approach  to  the  shore,  for,  stand- 
ing a  little  way  apart,  I  watched  those  two 
who  still  spake  together  in  low  tones,  and 
with  grave  looks. 

Presently  my  attention  was  withdrawn  from 
them  by  a  slight  pull  at  my  sleeve,  and  one 
of  the  sailors,  with  whom  I  had  often  spoken, 
thrust  into  my  hand  a  slip  of  paper,  whispering 
to  me  at  the  same  time,  "  Signore,  read  this 
when  thou  art  alone." 

I  would  have  questioned  the  boy,  but  he 
had  gone.  Heedless  of  the  note,  I  still  kept 
my  eyes  on  those  twain  till  they  separated. 
Then,  finding  a  corner,  I  spread  open  the 
tiny  sheet  of  paper.  So  finely  written  were 
the  words  upon  it  that  scarce  could  I  read 
them. 


TESTORE  191 

"  Testore,  I  thought  never  again  to  pen  a 
letter  to  thee.  Our  plans  have  failed,  and  I 
have  lost  much  ;  for  had  all  been  otherwise, 
there  awaited  for  us  a  great  reward. 

*'  He  who  is  the  scourge  of  all  true 
Catholics,  has  won,  and  those  who  placed 
high  stakes  on  the  land  which  we  have 
quitted,  have  forfeited  much. 

"  England  might  have  been  saved  to  the 
one  true  Church  could  we  have  placed  the 
Infant  Prince  upon  her  throne,  nurturing  him 
in  our  beliefs  till,  when  the  hour  was  ripe 
II  Santo  Padre  would  have  governed  that 
country  of  fame  and  riches. 

"  Not  among  the  least  hast  thou  been, 
Testore,  amid  the  many  who  wrought  for  so 
good  a  purpose  ;  for  ye  did  that  which  none 
other  could  have  done,  yea,  even  though  it 
proved  of  no  avail. 

"Those  whom  we  obeyed,  suffered  keen 
disappointment  ;  but  I 

"  Testore,  he  who  takes  me  back  to  my  life 
of  silence  and  loneliness,  approaches.  He  knows 
that  thou  art  on  board,  since  we  are  ever  watched. 

"  Carlo  mio,  we  shall  never  meet  again, 
but " 

Here   the  note   ended,   and  without   doubt 


1 92  TESTORE 

the  man  of  the  scarred  face  had  entered  into 
her  cabin. 

I  feared  to  read  it  again,  for  the  bustle 
and  noise  around  me  told  me  that  we  had 
anchored.  My  friend,  too,  drew  nigh,  saying, 
as  he  took  my  arm,  "  We  can  now  set  foot 
on  our  land." 

Though  my  eyes  sought  in  all  directions 
for  a  glimpse  of  my  beautiful  lady,  I  had, 
perforce,  to  leave  the  ship  without  seeing 
aught  of  her,  for  the  Vescovo  quitted  not 
my  side,  neither  loosened  he  his  hold  on 
my  arm,  until  we  reached  an  inn,  the  landlord 
of  which  was  well  known  to  him. 

They  spoke  much  aside.  Then  I  was  shown 
into  a  room  where  I  was  bidden  wait  till  my 
friend  should  rejoin  me,  for  he  had  departed 
on  some  mission.  I  sat  myself  down  im- 
patiently, for  mysteries,  which  I  ever  hated, 
still  surrounded  me.  An  hour  passed,  and 
no  one  came  near  me.  Much  of  the  busy 
stir  of  the  inn  penetrated  the  walls  of  the 
chamber  wherein  I  awaited  the  Vescovo  di 
Milano,  and  yet  the  time  seemed  not  long 
to  me,  for  I  read  again  and  again  her  dear 
letter,  and  the  words  that  were  wanting 
therein,  knew  I  in  my  heart. 

And  never  a  thought  entered  my  mind   to 


TESTORE  193 

distrust  my  friend,  for  well    I   knew  that  he 
must  obey  the  behest  of  his  Church. 

And,  as  thus  I  sat  and  pondered  over  many 
things,  1  heard  without  in  the  passage  a  voice 
I  so  well  knew,  and  loved. 

My  heart  leaped.  I  ran  to  the  door,  that  I 
at  least  might  behold  her,  but  it  was  locked. 

Again  I  was  a  prisoner,  and  I  might  not  even 
look  on  my  beautiful  lady  ere  they  took  her 
away  from  me  to  that  drear,  lone,  convent 
cell. 

I  turned  to  the  window,  but  so  high  was  it 
built  in  the  wall  that  only  with  great  difficulty 
could  I  gain  it.  Near  by  stood  a  heavy  piece 
of  furniture,  which  when  pushed  under  the 
window,  gave  height  enough  for  me  to  gaze 
forth. 

Below  me  in  the  courtyard  I  saw  several 
horses,  saddled  and  bridled,  and  well  I  knew 
for  whom  they  awaited. 

And  my  beautiful  lady  appeared,  attended 
by  two  maids.  And  although  she  was  closely 
veiled,  I  knew  her.  She  was  accompanied  by 
an  officer  of  rank,  whom  by  his  height  and 
bearing  I  recognised  for  the  stranger  of  the 
voyage,  and  his  men. 

And  never  a  look  gave  she  backward  to  the 

inn  as  she  rode  forth, 
o 


i94  TESTORE 

Fain  would  I  have  given  way  to  grief,  but 
dare  not,  and  of  what  avail  would  it  have 
been  ?  Only  my  heart  cried  out  bitterly  ;  yet 
when  the  Vescovo  returned,  he  found  me 
seated  on  a  chair  apparently  absorbed  in 
thought. 

So  accustomed  had  I  become  to  his  lay 
attire,  that  I  started  in  surprise  when  I  saw 
him  again  in  his  priest's  garb. 

"Forgive  me,"  said  he,  as  he  laid  down 
a  bundle  which  I  had  not  perceived  till  he 
spoke,  "  but  I  had  much  to  do  ere  I  could 
bring  to  thee  these  clothes  which  will  render 
thee  an  Italian  musician  in  less  time  than  it 
took  me  to  turn  myself  again  outwardly  into 
a  father  of  the  Church." 


CHAPTER   VI 

I  SOJOURNED  for  a  few  days  in  Naples  alone, 
for  the  Vescovo  journeyed  to  Rome  to  the 
Vatican,  there  to  render  an  account  of  his 
doings  in  that  foreign  land,  which  had  cast 
herself  adrift  from  the  domination  of  the 
Catholic  Church  for  ever.  It  was  on  his  re- 
turn from  thither,  that  he  told  me  his  story. 

One  day,  as  he  left  a  house  in  company 
with  two  others,  he  was  seized  from  behind, 
a  cloak  was  thrown  over  his  head,  and  rough 
hands  bound  him  and  bore  him  off. 

Half-stifled,  and  much  alarmed,  he  had, 
perforce,  to  allow  himself  to  be  carried  some 
way.  Then  they  who  had  thus  captured  him 
halted,  some  dispersed,  whilst  two  descended 
some  steps.  Still  enveloped  in  the  mantle, 
he  was  set  down  upon  a  stone  floor,  but  his 
bonds  were  loosened.  The  closing  of  a  door, 
with  the  sound  of  retreating  footsteps,  told 
him  that  he  was  alone. 

Freeing  himself  of  the  ropes  which  had 
bound  him,  he  examined  his  surroundings,  and 
discovered  that  he  was  in  a  cellar  which  had 


196  TESTORE 

only  one  small  aperture,  and  that  so  high 
that  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  reach  it.  He 
tried  the  door,  which  was  strongly  built,  and 
locked  without.  All  was  still  save  for  the 
sound  of  the  lapping  of  water  against  one 
of  the  walls. 

From  this  he  concluded  that  he  was  close 
to  the  river. 

The  Vescovo,  being  of  a  courageous  nature, 
husbanded  his  strength  for  the  time  when  he 
might  need  it,  for  he  spent  it  not  in  useless 
attempts  to  liberate  himself.  Wrapping  his 
cloak  well  around  himself,  he  sat  down  to 
await  that  which  might  next  occur.  Hours 
passed  ;  the  very  little  daylight  that  won  its 
way  down  to  him  faded  into  darkness,  the 
night  was  long,  for  he  could  not  sleep.  When 
the  morning  came,  he  was  cold  and  weary,  but 
by  and  by  a  tiny  ray  of  sunlight  penetrated 
the  depths  of  the  cell.  He  changed  his  posi- 
tion from  time  to  time  so  that  it  fell  on  him, 
and  as  thus  he  sat,  a  man  entered  with  a  loaf 
of  bread  and  a  jug  of  wine.  When  he  saw  the 
cold  appearance  of  the  prisoner,  he  hastily  left 
the  cell,  and  returned  with  a  blanket  and  a  stool. 
Reassured  by  these  attentions,  my  friend  made 
a  good  meal.  His  jailer  visited  him  again  at 
dusk,  bringing  with  him  a  bowl  of  steaming 


TESTORE  197 

broth,  a  platter  on  which  lay  junks  of  bread 
and  beef,  and  a  mug  of  foaming  beer.  More- 
over, some  bedding  was  added  to  his  humble 
store  of  comforts,  and  thus  some  days  passed  ; 
till  one  evening,  when  the  man  came  as  usual 
with  the  evening  meal,  he  brought  with  him  a 
suit  of  coarse  clothes  such  as  those  worn  by 
weavers,  or  workers  in  some  rude  handicraft. 
They  were  much  soiled,  having  apparently  seen 
good  service.  Flinging  them  down  before  my 
friend,  he  said,  "  Eat  as  speedily  as  thou  canst, 
then  don  these." 

In  a  very  short  while  my  friend  was  follow- 
ing his  jailer  down  a  winding  passage,  too 
narrow  for  the  twain  to  walk  abreast,  till  they 
came  out  into  the  open  air  at  a  place  where 
a  boat  awaited  them.  This  they  entered,  and 
after  rowing  for  a  great  while,  they  landed,  and 
he  was  then  taken  to  a  lonely  hut,  where  he 
remained  in  hiding  till  Richard  Marsh  came 
to  him. 

Again  the  days  were  long,  and  the  fare 
rough  and  coarse ;  but  he,  aware  of  the  dangers 
of  the  time,  and  the  intense  hatred  in  England 
for  all  Papists,  obeyed  his  orders,  knowing 
likewise  that  thus  he  aided  those  who  stood  his 
friends. 

When   at   last   the  blond  giant  arrived,  he 


198  TESTORE 

smiled  approval  at  the  Vescovo's  unkempt 
appearance. 

"  We  three,"  said  he,  "  have  been  in  jeopardy 
of  our  lives.  I,  for  helping  a  spy,  and  our 
friend,  Giuseppe  Testore,  for  having  consorted 
with  him.  Thanks  to  the  faithfulness  of  my 
old  nurse  and  her  son,  he  is  safe ;  thou  wilt  be, 
I  hope,  too,  within  a  very  few  hours,  and  I  as 
soon  as  ye  twain  be  out  of  this  land." 

Our  English  friend  himself  journeyed  with 
the  Vescovo  until  the  ship  was  reached  and 
boarded. 

On  the  morrow  we  turned  our  faces  towards 
our  beloved  Milano,  which  we  reached  without 
further  adventures,  and  I  methought  that  no 
more  would  I  journey  abroad,  though  I  must 
confess  that  this  sojourn  in  a  strange  land  was 
not  entirely  without  some  good,  since  it  had 
broken  the  dreariness  of  my  long,  lonely 
hours. 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE  very  day  after  my  return,  Maria  came 
to  visit  me.  She  welcomed  me  back  raptur- 
ously, for  this  silly  woman  still  cherished  her 
old  affection  for  me,  though  I  had  been  most 
surly  to  her,  showing  my  dislike  openly  when- 
ever I  could. 

She  had  grown  into  a  portly  matron,  loud  of 
voice,  and  untidy  in  appearance.  Now  here 
she  was,  prepared  to  stay  awhile,  for  she 
announced  presently  that  her  husband  would 
call  for  her. 

"  I  am  sorry,"  said  I ;  "  but  since  the  woman 
is  out,  and  I  have  a  mission  in  the  city,  I  must 
take  the  house-key  with  me,  and  I  may  not 
tarry." 

Disappointed  of  her  intent,  she  became  angry, 
and  troubled  not  to  disguise  her  feelings. 
Away  she  flounced,  her  head  high,  her  skirt 
whirling  as  she  passed  out  of  the  door.  1 
watched  her  progress  along  the  street,  but  she 
did  not  once  turn  to  look  back,  therefore  I 
withdrew  to  my  room.  Francesco  appeared,  as 
she  had  said,  yet  1  knew  that  he  was  pleased 
199 


200  TESTORE 

to  find  me  alone,  although  he  mentioned  not 
his  wife,  and  neither  did  I. 

His  was  not  a  happy  home,  for  he  had 
wearied  of  Maria,  and  his  children  were  much 
neglected. 

Over  our  early  supper  we  waxed  quite 
merry.  He  delighted  in  the  tales  I  told  him 
of  my  voyage,  and  the  city  of  London,  asking 
me  many  questions  thereof.  When  we  parted, 
we  understood  each  other  better  than  we  had 
done  for  a  great  while. 

Soon  I  sauntered  forth  for  a  stroll,  and,  as 
usual,  my  feet  bore  me  towards  II  Duomo.  I 
did  not  enter  it,  however,  but  retracing  my 
steps,  regained  my  home  to  find  that  the  meal 
had  not  been  cleared  away.  As  I  set  about 
placing  the  viands  in  the  cupboard,  a  sudden 
tumult  without  disturbed  me.  A  hasty  knock 
sounded  on  the  outer  door,  followed  by  a  voice 
asking  for  me.  On  opening  to  them,  several 
men  whom  I  knew  well  thronged  within  the 
entrance.  Bewildered,  for  they  all  spoke 
excitedly,  I  begged  them  to  be  calm,  and  tell 
me  what  had  chanced. 

"  Thy  cousin  is  dead,"  said  one. 

"  Dead !  "  I  repeated,  horrified,  and  unable 
to  grasp  to  the  full  the  meaning  of  the  word. 

"  Yea,  dead,  for   he  was  found   stabbed  in 


TESTORE  201 

the  street  hard  by  his  house  ;  yet  ere  he 
breathed  his  last,  he  bid  us  tell  thee  to  beware 
of  a  man  who  wore  a  green  cloak." 

I  caught  at  the  mantelshelf  for  support. 
Some  one  brought  me  a  drink,  but  I  pushed  it 
aside.  My  cousin  dead !  he  who  had  been 
alive  and  with  me  in  this  very  room  but  this 
afternoon.  Dead !  and  killed  by  my  old 
enemy,  "  the  man  in  green." 

Swiftly  the  memories  of  those  days  so  long 
ago  flashed  through  my  mind.  Fain  would  I 
have  dwelt  on  them,  but  my  neighbours  burst 
forth  into  the  story  of  the  finding  of  the 
assassinated  man. 

He  had  been  attacked  from  behind  as  he 
rounded  a  dark  corner.  The  cold-blooded 
murderer  had  thrice  plunged  his  steel  through 
his  victim  as  he  lay  there  wounded  to  the 
death.  The  sound  of  footsteps  had  evidently 
caused  the  villain  to  flee,  for  his  dagger  was 
found  in  my  cousin's  body. 

They  took  me  to  see  him.  It  was  a  sad 
sight,  and  I  fain  would  have  thought  of  him  as 
I  had  last  beheld  him.  There  was  no  doubt 
that  he  had  been  mistaken  for  me  ;  and  as  a 
proof,  I  saw  stained  with  his  life-blood  my 
own  cloak,  the  one  which  I  so  often  wore  upon 
my  rambles.  It  was  of  sombre  velvet  and  of 


202  TESTORE 

a  peculiar  cut,  and  there  was  not  its  like  in 
the  town. 

Then  I  remembered  that  Francesco  had 
shivered  as  he  rose  to  go,  and  that  I  had 
thrown  it  around  him. 

And  now  he  was  dead,  and  I  lived. 

I  gazed  on  him  as  he  lay  there,  motionless 
and  silent,  with  the  story  of  the  sudden 
wresting  of  his  life  from  his  body  written  on 
his  countenance.  The  knowledge  of  the  wider 
world  was  his,  but  I  remained  behind. 

They  left  me  alone  with  him,  and  as  I  bent 
over  the  still  form  I  gently  touched  the  cold 
brow  thereof,  for  those  who  look  upon  a 
corpse  must  touch  it,  or  else  partake  of  great 
misfortune. 

I  spoke  to  no  one  as  I  left  the  house.  I 
would  not  see  his  wife.  She  would  mourn 
him  less  than  I  should,  though  with  her  shallow 
nature  she  would  make  more  display  of  her 
grief. 

I  returned  home,  where  I  spent  a  sleepless 
night,  the  forerunner  of  many  such  to  come. 
They  buried  Francesco  with  much  state,  and 
many  masses  were  said  for  his  soul. 

Two  of  his  children  I  took  into  my  care  on 
the  condition  that  their  mother  in  nowise  inter- 
fered with  them.  And  cheer  they  brought  to 


TESTORE  203 

my  empty  house.  Methinks,  too,  they  kept 
me  from  growing  entirely  morose  and  bitter. 

Howbeit,  their  mother,  tiring  of  my  indiffer- 
ence to  her,  went  to  stay  with  some  relatives 
a  long  way  off ;  and  for  this  I  was  glad,  for 
truly  had  she  stayed  in  Milano  she  must  have 
proved  a  thorn  in  my  side. 

For  the  sake  of  the  boys  I  took  into  the 
house  a  faithful  woman  of  middle  age,  a  child- 
less widow,  and  I  experienced  more  comfort 
than  I  had  done  for  years.  She  kept  all  so 
bright  and  clean.  Our  linen  was  spotless,  and 
our  garments  in  good  repair,  and  the  cooking, 
too,  was  generous.  Only,  as  of  old,  I  tolerated 
not  her  presence  in  the  workroom,  save  once 
a  week  when  I  stood  on  guard  whilst  she 
swept,  cleansed,  and  dusted  window  and  floor. 
And  this  I  had  to  permit,  since  otherwise  she 
threatened  to  leave  me  ;  and  after  a  while  I 
minded  it  less,  only  never  more  than  once  a 
week  would  I  permit  of  it. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

AND  now  again  my  life  ran  smoothly  for 
awhile.  Often  I  visited  II  Duomo,  and  there 
would  sit  and  dream  of  many  things. 

As  the  boys  grew  up,  I  taught  them  my  art, 
but  they  had  not  the  keen  love  for  it  which 
dominated  me.  Skilful  they  were  and  quick,  too 
quick  in  sooth,  for  as  the  fiddle-maker  slowly, 
and  with  love,  evolves  from  out  of  shapeless 
wood  an  instrument  of  song,  surely  he  instils 
into  it  much  of  his  own  self,  •  which  lives 
throughout  all  time. 

Even  after  all  these  years  I  had  not  worked 
at  those  two  precious  pieces  of  wood,  given 
to  me  by  my  cripple  friend  of  long  ago.  I 
had  often  lifted  them  up  and  fondled  them, 
but  within  me  a  voice  spoke  always,  "  Not  yet, 
my  friend,  not  yet." 

Therefore  I  waited  as  only  those  wait  who 
have  won  through  fierce  fires  of  passion  and 
sin. 

At  last  inspiration  came,  swift  and  strong. 

It  had  been  a  brilliant  day  of  sunshine,  and 
204 


TESTORE  205 

the  heat  had  been  too  great  to  allow  of  work, 
or  even  to  walk  abroad. 

At  sunset  a  little  breeze  arose,  and  I  sought 
the  air.  I  walked  but  a  little  way,  for  a  feeling 
of  lassitude  was  upon  me.  When  I  returned, 
the  house  was  empty,  and  the  evening  meal 
had  been  despatched.  My  portion,  however, 
had  been  carefully  set  aside,  for  of  late  I  had 
fallen  into  bad  habits,  leaving  the  boys  to  eat 
their  supper  alone.  My  housekeeper  grumbled, 
and  always  I  promised  to  amend  my  ways,  but 
ever  forgot.  Although  I  seated  myself  at  the 
table  I  ate  but  sparingly,  for  I  was  not  hungry, 
only  thirsty.  Then  I  leaned  back  in  a  chair 
in  my  favourite  corner  of  the  room,  and  fell  to 
dreaming  of 'bygone  days  when  la  mia  bimbas 
voice  had  made  music  in  my  home. 

My  beloved  ones  were  ever  in  my  waking 
thoughts,  yet  1  never  dreamed  of  them.  Strange, 
but  thus  it  was,  save  for  that  one  dream  of 
Fanciullina  so  long  ago,  on  that  night  when  my 
beautiful  lady  had  stolen  away. 

And  as  I  sat  thus,  a  dreamy  languor  came 
over  me.  Years  slipped  from  off  me,  and  I 
was  young  and  gay.  A  baby  head  rested  on 
my  shoulder,  baby  fingers  clutched  my  hand, 
and  I  dared  not  move  lest  I  should  waken  my 
precious  burden.  And  then,  I  know  not  how 


206  TESTORE 

it  happened,  so  incomprehensible  are  the  swift 
changes  of  a  dream  or  vision,  but  I  was  in  a 
vast  wood,  and  afar  off  I  heard  the  sound  of 
waves  washing  against  a  rocky  shore.  And  the 
sullen  boom  of  the  water  dashing  against  the 
cliffs,  mingled  with  the  sighing  of  the  wind 
through  the  great  pines,  filled  my  heart  with 
a  strange  melody.  No  longer  held  I  in  my 
arms  my  child,  nor  was  I  even  myself,  but 
another,  wearing  clothes  the  like  of  which  I 
had  never  seen,  for  a  short  tunic  of  coarse  dark 
material,  confined  about  the  waist  by  a  skin 
belt,  formed  my  chief  article  of  dress.  My 
legs  were  encased  in  leathern  thongs,  and 
wooden  shoes  were  on  my  feet.  And  this 
strange  attire  I  wore  with  the  ease  of  one  at 
home  in  it. 

A  tall  pine  attracted  my  attention.  I  walked 
to  it,  and  reverently  I  touched  its  trunk,  for 
from  within  the  heart  of  the  tree  flowed  forth 
that  melody  of  sea  and  pine ;  but  even  as  I 
sought  to  retain  its  wonders,  it  passed.  Forest 
and  tree  had  vanished,  and  I  was  alone  on  a 
wide  plain  with  naught  in  my  hand  save  a  staff. 
The  air  grew  cold,  and  snow  fell.  Still  onwards 
I  groped  my  way,  until  afar  in  the  distance  I 
saw  a  light.  Almost  blinded  by  the  snowflakes 
which  fell  so  pitilessly  and  fast,  I  at  length 


TESTORE  207 

came  to  an  open  door  through  which  I  passed, 
for  within  was  warmth. 

And  none  barred  my  way. 

The  great  hall  was  empty,  but  the  melody 
of  sea  and  pine  flooded  the  whole  place. 

Set  in  the  walls  were  many  doors,  all  of 
which  I  opened,  seeking  the  source  of  the 
music  which  filled  each  room  in  turn  ;  for  it 
followed  me,  yet  evaded  me  at  every  step. 
Whenever  I  turned  towards  the  haunting  notes 
they  stopped,  and  yet,  whichever  chamber  I 
entered,  there  heard  I  them  full  and  clear. 

Baffled,  I  sat  down  before  some  smouldering 
embers,  for  I  was  very  weary,  and  lo  !  the 
song  came  as  it  were  from  the  very  heart  of  the 
fire  itself  ;  and  I  cried  aloud,  "  O  wondrous 
song,  implant  thyself  upon  my  heart  and 
brain  !  " 

And  a  voice  answered,  "  Thou  whose  hand 
can  awaken  sound,  hast  in  thy  possession  part 
of  that  tree  in  whose  fibre  sleeps  that  which 
awaits  thy  hand,  thy  touch,  to  bring  it  forth  to 
life." 

And  the  vision  passed. 

I  was  myself  in  my  room  of  fiddles. 

I  rose,  but  was  forced  to  sit  again,  for  my 
limbs  were  weak,  my  head  dizzy;  and  sleep 
fell  on  me,  and  I  dreamed  of  Fanciullina. 


208  TESTORE 

She  came  to  me,  this  child  of  heavenly 
growth,  and  held  out  her  arms  whilst  I  gazed 
at  her  with  aching  heart.  As  before,  she  spoke 
not,  but  only  pointed  upwards ;  and  then  she 
was  gone,  and  again  a  chorus  of  heavenly  voices 
greeted  her. 

The  house  was  still  when  I  awoke,  for  it  was 
late  ;  and  I  had  not  heard  the  entrance  of  my 
nephews,  whom,  when  I  entered  their  chamber, 
I  found  fast  asleep. 

I  returned  to  mine,  but  not  to  rest,  for  I 
took  those  precious  pieces  of  wood,  and  breathed 
into  them  my  utter  longing  to  bring  forth  from 
them  that  melody  of  sea  and  pine,  for  I  knew 
that  the  time  had  come  for  me  to  awaken  them 
into  song. 

Alone  I  wrought  each  day,  and  reverently, 
and  thus  the  fiddle,  whose  birth-year  was  1707, 
was  created.  And  ever  as  I  fashioned  its  shape 
my  child's  form  would  be  pictured  in  my  mind, 
and  a  woman's  pure  eyes  gazed  into  mine  with 
the  look  that  bespeaks  the  love  that  is  not  only 
of  mere  earth. 

So  much  1  loved  this  work  that  until  its 
completion  I  never  left  it  for  long;  nay,  more, 
I  even  had  my  bed  moved  into  my  workroom, 
and  no  delicate  plant  was  ever  more  carefully 
watched  or  shielded.  Sun  it  had  in  plenty, 


TESTORE  209 

and  damp  it  knew  not  at  all.  So  slowly,  very 
slowly,  life  was  instilled  into  it,  and  as  the  time 
drew  near  for  it  to  awaken  into  sound,  I  ate 
not,  neither  could  I  sleep;  and  my  nephews 
wearied  themselves  concerning  me,  yet  still 
they  understood  not  my  strange  love  for  it. 
They  neglected  their  duties  terribly,  both 
being  in  love,  and  that  foolishly;  but  so  utterly 
absorbed  was  I  in  my  work  that  I  sought  not 
to  check  them. 

The  Vescovo  often  came  to  see  me,  and 
would  implore  me  to  eat  and  rest,  but  though 
I  would  have  done  so  to  please  him,  I  could 
not. 

And  the  day  came  when  my  task  was  ended. 

From  out  of  those  inert  pieces  of  wood, 
wrought  by  my  own  hands,  had  grown  a  fiddle. 
So  much  my  fingers  trembled  that  I  could 
scarce  fasten  the  strings  upon  it.  Then  com- 
plete at  last  it  lay  before  me,  warm  and  beautiful 
in  colouring,  and  I  dare  not  lift  it,  I  dare  not 
raise  the  bow  lest  bitter  disappointment  be  my 
lot.  I  heard  my  nephews  pass  my  chamber 
door,  and  I  called  to  them.  Surprised,  they 
obeyed  my  summons,  for  I  barred  my  room  to 
them  for  many  weeks.  Yet  when  they  entered 
I  could  not  speak,  but  could  only  point  to  my 
child  of  inspiration. 


210  TESTORE 

They  saw  but  a  new  fiddle,  whilst  my  eyes 
had  ever  beheld,  as  I  wrought  upon  it,  the 
angel-form  of  a  little  child,  and  the  look  of  a 
great  soul-love  within  the  eyes  of  her  so  dear  to 
me  ;  and  I  knew  myself  for  a  man  of  passion, 
yet  who  desired  to  rise  above  mere  earthly 
things,  but  these  heedless,  light-hearted  boys 
knew  naught  of  this. 

I  waited  for  their  words  of  praise. 

"  The  colour  is  not  even,"  said  the  elder  of 
the  twain. 

"  And  my  last  was  of  a  much  better  shape," 
announced  the  other,  and  they  turned  on  their 
heels  and  left  me. 

My  heart  well-nigh  broke,  for  so  much  I 
had  yearned  for  sympathy,  and  my  friend,  the 
Vescovo,  who  would  have  comprehended  me, 
was  not  at  home. 

I  knelt  down  by  my  handiwork,  my  child  of 
song,  and  weak  and  despondent,  I  fain  would 
have  destroyed  it  ;  but  I  was  compelled  to  draw 
the  bow  across  its  strings. 

So  true,  so  pure,  were  the  notes  that  came  to 
birth  beneath  my  fingers  that,  weakened  as  I 
was  by  want  of  sleep  and  food,  my  joy  overcame 
me,  and  I  swooned. 

When  I  regained  my  senses,  my  friend,  who 
had  returned  sooner  than  he  had  expected,  bent 


TESTORE  211 

over  me.  He  lifted  me  to  my  couch,  and 
breaking  bread  into  wine,  with  tender  words 
he  persuaded  me  to  eat  and  to  drink. 

All  that  night  he  stayed  with  me,  for  I  was 
very  ill,  and  they  feared  for  my  mind  as  well  as 
for  my  body. 

And  till  1  was  much  recovered,  he  left  me 
but  to  perform  his  duties,  and  then  my  house- 
keeper took  charge,  obeying  faithfully  his 
orders. 

And  so  for  many  days  I  lay  weak  and  help- 
less, and  was  fed  like  a  babe,  but  a  weight  was 
taken  from  off  me,  and  sleep  often  visited  me. 

My  nephews,  who  knew  not  how  cruelly 
they  had  wounded  me  by  their  words,  were 
much  sobered  by  my  illness.  They  loved  me, 
but,  alas,  there  was  much  of  their  mother's 
nature  within  them ;  for  they  liked  display,  and 
cared  most  for  parading  themselves  on  festival 
days  in  gaudy  attire.  I  may  not  blame  them, 
since  I  had  left  them  much  alone,  teaching  them 
my  craft  only  that  it  might  live  in  the  family; 
for  I  dreamt  great  things  of  the  future  of  my 
work,  but  they  were  not  to  be. 

One  day  a  desire  was  born  in  me  to  arise 
from  my  bed.  I  was  alone,  and  with  difficulty 
1  staggered  to  the  window.  There,  overcome 
by  dizziness,  I  seated  myself,  for  I  had  not  till 


212  TESTORE 

then  realised  how  little  strength  I  had.  After  a 
while,  however,  I  gained  the  living-room  where 
the  boys  were  eating  their  midday  meal.  They 
greeted  me  with  a  glad  cry  of  surprise,  and  I 
was  gently  seized  by  them,  and  carried  to  a 
seat.  There  ensconced,  they  waited  on  me,  and 
then  it  was  that  I  forgave  them  for  those  stab- 
bing sentences  which  had  been  uttered  but  in 
pure  thoughtlessness. 

From  that  day  I  made  rapid  progress  towards 
health  and  strength,  till  at  last  1  could  walk 
abroad. 

Many  wished  to  buy  my  child  of  inspiration, 
but  I  put  them  all  off  on  one  plea  or  another, 
for  so  greatly  I  loved  it  that  1  could  not  part 
with  it. 

Ah,  like  myself,  it  loved  the  warmth,  and, 
perchance,  all  things  beautiful.  I  have  played 
on  it  in  grand  halls  and  in  tapestried  boudoirs, 
but  it  was  often  only  when  I  myself  played  upon 
it  that  listeners  raved,  since  it  would  not  ever 
respond  to  the  touch  of  strangers.  At  such 
times  its  notes  would  sound  dull  and  dead. 

My  nephews  never  could  see  much  beauty 
in  it,  though  they  owned  that  at  times  its  tones 
were  truly  wonderful. 

So  we,  the  fiddle  and  I,  grew  to  understand 
each  other's  moods.  "My  Child  of  Inspira- 


TESTORE  213 

tion "  I  called  it,  instead  of  the  name  of  its 
birth-year,  1707. 

I  was  ageing  fast,  and  it  was  but  at  the  com- 
mencement of  its  life ;  or  was  it  older  than  one 
dare  think  ?  For  ever  when  I  held  it,  or  gazed 
upon  it,  the  memories  of  that  vision  of  the  vast 
wood  with  those  great  pines,  and  the  sound  of 
the  booming  of  the  sullen  waves  afar  off,  would 
be  upon  me. 

Surely  my  child  of  inspiration  was,  indeed, 
centuries  old. 


CHAPTER   IX 

AT  last  I  deemed  that  I  had  recovered  my 
strength ;  but  soon  I  found  that  the  long,  heavy 
fever  under  which  I  had  lain  so  long  had  left 
its  traces  upon  me,  for  never  again  was  I  able  to 
work  for  hours  at  a  stretch,  nor  did  I  desire  to 
do  so,  but  was  content  to  wander  oft  in  the 
dreamland  of  the  past.  And  I  was,  indeed,  much 
alone  since  the  Vescovo  di  Milano  had  been 
removed  to  another  part  of  Italy. 

We  had  spent  a  solemn  evening  together  the 
night  before  his  departure.  We  were  both  sad, 
though  man-like,  we  hid  our  feelings.  But 
when  the  time  drew  nigh  for  our  farewell,  he 
asked  a  request  of  me. 

"  Testore,"  said  he,  "  I  beg  thee  to  tell  me 
the  true  story  of  thy  acquaintance  with  the 
Principessa  Elvira  di  Florenza." 

I  started,  and  though  years  had  passed  since  I 
had  heard  that  name,  my  face  paled,  my  voice 
shook  with  emotion ;  yet  because  the  Vescovo 
was  my  friend,  yea,  more  than  friend,  and 
because  I  loved  him,  I  told  him  all,  save  of  her 
214 


TESTORE  215 

dear  kisses,  and  that  meeting  in  the  wood  when 
she  had  given  me  her  crucifix. 

He  listened  intently,  then  grasping  my  hand, 
said,  "  I,  too,  have  had  my  wound,  and  bear  the 
scar  thereof  ;  and  as  ye  have  told  me  of  thy 
sorrow  and  pain,  so  tell  I  thee  of  mine.  Per- 
chance, it  may  strengthen  us  to  know  that  we 
each  have  loved,  and  suffered." 

Deeply  stirred  with  memories  of  the  past,  we 
drank  a  long  draught  of  wine,  as  if  thereby 
we  could  hide  our  feelings  from  each  other. 

Then  the  Vescovo  began  his  story. 

"Testore,  thou  hast  tasted  of  joy  and  pain. 
I,  too,  have  drunk  deep  of  the  cup  of  happi- 
ness and  sorrow,  and,  if  we  have  sinned,  my 
sin  is  greater  than  thine,  for  ye  had  not  sworn 
certain  oaths  to  Holy  Church,  therefore  thou 
hast  broken  no  vow." 

He  lowered  his  voice. 

"  Thou  dost  count  me  a  good  man,  yet  I 
have  done  things  that  cannot  be  purged  away 
till  the  Great  God  of  All  wills. 

"  In  that  I  thought  to  stand  firm,  I  have 
failed. 

"  Up  to  the  time  of  my  last  vows,  no  tempt- 
ation assailed  me.  I  was  an  enthusiast,  so 
eager  to  preach  of  the  Passion  of  the  Cross 
that  no  test  overcame  me.  Body,  soul,  and 


2i6  TESTORE 

mind  I  dedicated  to  the  Church.  In  my 
student  days  they  ever  spoke  of  me  as  Sebas- 
tian the  Pious. 

"  When  I  had  served  as  a  priest  for  one 
happy  year,  I  was  sent  to  Rome. 

"And,  Testore,  I  would  that  I  had  been 
left  alone  in  that  little  village  ;  yea,  though  I 
should  never  have  known  thee,  and  another. 

"  From  Rome  I  was  ordered  to  Spain,  that 
country  of  devilries  wrought  in  the  name  of 
Christ.  It  was  a  vile  mission  on  which  I  was 
sent,  but  deeming  II  Pontefice  infallible,  I  went. 

"  Testore,  1  am  prepared  to  suffer  punish- 
ment hereafter  if  it  be  wrong  of  me  that  I,  in 
my  secret  heart,  call  the  Spanish  Inquisition  a 
hotbed  of  cruelties  and  a  network  of  lying 
hypocrisy.  I  saw  men  deprived  of  sight,  sense, 
and  sound.  I  witnessed  the  torturings  of 
youths  who,  alas,  were  often  maimed  for  life, 
yet  I  bore  it  all  :  the  Church  commanded  it, 
and  she  could  do  no  wrong. 

"  At  last  the  day  came  when  I  was  told  that 
but  one  more  task  awaited  me  ere  I  returned 
to  my  distant  village. 

"That  night  1  prayed  that  I  might  be  en- 
abled to  discharge  it  successfully,  although  my 
heart  was  sick  at  the  brutalities  in  which  I  had 
been  forced  to  assist. 


TESTORE  217 

"  My  prayer  was  answered,  but  not  in  the 
way  that  I  expected. 

"  I  was  sent  to  act  the  part  of  confessor  to  a 
maiden  of  English  parentage,  and  possessed  of 
much  wealth,  and  whose  stepfather,  a  Spaniard, 
had  betrayed  her  to  the  Inquisition  since  she 
had  become  a  heretic. 

'*  He  was  of  a  greedy,  grasping  nature,  who, 
not  content  with  his  own  riches,  which  he  had 
acquired  in  a  manner  abhorrent  to  all  lovers  of 
freedom — for  think,  Testore,  of  the  horrors 
of  a  slave's  life — he  desired  to  add  to  it  much 
of  his  stepdaughter's  wealth." 

Arising,  my  friend  paced  the  room  in  agita- 
tion for  awhile.  I  spoke  not,  and  soon  he 
seated  himself  and  went  on  with  his  story. 

"  This  maiden  was  very  fair  to  look  upon  ; 
I  had  never  seen  her  like  before.  Her  skin 
was  white,  her  eyes  violet,  fringed  with  long 
lashes,  her  hair  soft,  thick,  and  golden.  Her 
lips  were  meant  to  smile,  not  to  be  compressed 
by  pain  ;  but  I  spied  upon  her,  and  thereby 
learnt  of  her  most  inmost  thoughts.  She 
was  taken  to  the  torture-chamber,  where  they 
stripped  her  of  her  clothing  and  brutally 
handled  her,  and,  perforce,  I  stood  by. 

"  That  night,  when  alone  in  my  cell,  a  fierce 
conflict  raged  within  me  'twixt  manhood  and 


2i  8  TESTORE 

loyalty  to  my  beliefs,  but  the  man  in  me 
prevailed. 

"  I  vowed  to  save  her,  and  I  did. 

"  Listen. 

"  We  as  a  nation  pride  ourselves  on  our 
knowledge  of  poisons,  holding  many  secrets  of 
this  art.  So,  because  I  had  performed  many 
duties  well  for  these  cruel  dogs  of  Spain,  they 
gave  me  permission  to  absent  myself  for  a 
time,  and  to  leave  the  maiden  alone  till  I 
returned. 

"  They  thought  that  I  journeyed  for  them, 
but  I  went  to  secure  a  poison  whose  peculiar 
property  was  well  known  to  me. 

"  My  God  !  even  now  I  cannot  think  with- 
out horror  of  those  long  days  till  I  procured 
that  for  which  I  journeyed. 

"  On  my  return  I  visited  the  girl.  She  was 
weak  of  body  but  determined  of  will.  When 
I  told  her  of  my  intent  to  save  her,  she 
doubted  me,  for  I  was  a  priest. 

"  Yet  I  prevailed  upon  her,  and  she  pro- 
mised to  give  herself  into  my  charge. 

"  Again  I  set  in  motion  the  wheel  of  hypo- 
crisy. To  my  superiors  I  pleaded  that  torture 
alone  could  save  her  soul. 

"  My  plans  were  successful,  for  having  com- 
plete trust  in  me,  they,  upon  my  request, 


TESTORE  219 

allowed  me  to  see  the  maiden  ere  she  was 
summoned  to  the  torture-chamber. 

"  And  there  she  died,  as  they  believed,  from 
the  agony  of  the  tortures  which  they  inflicted 
upon  her. 

"  Testore  !  Think  on  my  feelings  as  1  saw 
her  lying  there,  white,  motionless,  her  body 
bound  to  that  horrible  plank. 

And  since  they  wished  not  that  her  death 
should  be  known — for  those  cruel  dogs  hide 
much  of  their  wickedness,  cloaking  the  rest  in 
the  name  of  Christ — they  allowed  me  to  take 
her  dead  body  whither  I  would. 

"  There  was  a  burial  in  the  presence  of  wit- 
nesses ;  but  the  victim  Jay  white  and  still  in  a 
small  room  of  which  I  alone  had  the  key,  and 
well  I  had  paid  for  the  use  of  this  chamber. 

"  In  the  early  dawn,  two  peasants,  seated  in 
a  cart  laden  with  fruit,  passed  out  of  the  town. 
I  was  the  driver,  and  thou  canst  guess  who 
was  my  companion. 

"And,  Testore,  no  one  suspected  that  the 
maiden  had  but  succumbed  for  the  while  to 
the  effects  of  the  poison  which  I  had  adminis- 
tered to  her,  and  that  I  had  been  just  in  time 
to  revive  her. 

"  My  tasks  were  done.  I  had  proved  my- 
self a  zealous  son  of  the  Church,  and  I  was 


220  TESTORE 

praised,  even  though  my  hands  were  red  with 
blood,  the  blood  of  the  innocent,  and  an- 
other parish  was  allotted  me  in  exchange  for 
the  one  I  had  formerly  in  charge. 

"  That  girl  still  lives,  though  her  body  suffers 
oft  from  the  agonies  she  endured." 

He  paused,  and  I  broke  not  the  silence. 

Then  he  stretched  out  his  hand  to  me. 

"Testore,  my  friend,  1  serve  my  Church, 
but  my  eyes  are  somewhat  opened  to  her 
faults  ;  and  I  have  sinned,  but  the  Christ  who 
sent  Love  into  the  world  will  not  mete  out 
to  me  a  punishment  that  I  cannot  bear,  for  I 
have  aided  many  a  traveller  along  life's  road, 
lighting  their  path  onwards  to  a  better  world. 
Not  all  of  sin  has  been  my  life,  and  God  will 
be  my  judge. 

"  The  maiden  lives,  and  as  my  wife,  and  is 
a  mother. 

"  Should  she  die  before  me,  I  shall  confess 
my  sin  to  II  Santo  Padre  ;  if  not,  I  am  content 
to  leave  myself  in  the  hand  of  Him  Who 
knoweth  us  better  than  we  know  ourselves." 

A  silence  fell  upon  us  both,  and  ere  we 
spoke  again  the  dawn  had  crept  in  upon  us 
unawares.  Then  we  arose  and  grasped  hands. 

Never  again  looked  we  on  each  other,  though 
he  performed  for  me  one  great  service  ere  he 


TESTORE  221 

went  the  road  which  all   mortals  must   travel 
alone  when  summoned  by  Death. 

His  wife  did  die  first,  but  I  know  not  the 
result  of  his  confession.  Yet  the  minds  of 
men  were  awakening  ;  we  were  not  all  dogs 
of  Spain. 


CHAPTER   X 

ONE  day,  perchance  a  year  after  my  friend's 
departure,  a  stranger  visited  me.  Immediately 
I  knew  her,  for  her  violet  eyes,  fringed  with 
their  dark  lashes,  and  the  look  of  past  sufferings 
within  them,  told  me  their  own  tale. 

Freely  we  talked,  and  I  took  her  into  my 
room  of  fiddles,  and  there  we  spake  much  of 
the  Vescovo,  and  her  smile  was  very  sweet 
when  I  spoke  of  our  friendship. 

Then  our  speech  reverted  to  those  awful 
days  of  her  torments. 

"  Signore,"  said  she,  "  why  do  men  perform 
such  cruel  deeds  in  the  name  of  Christ  ? " 

And  I  answered  that  I  knew  not,  since  this 
name  once  meant  naught  to  me. 

She  gazed  at  me  inquiringly,  for  she  knew 
not  the  dark  stories  of  my  life. 

"  We  three,"  added  I,  "  think  not  alike,  and 
yet " 

I  paused,  fearing  to  wound  her,  and  then 
went  on. 

"  We  know  how  Sebastian  reverences  the 
Virgin  Mary,  and  his  love  for  his  Church, 

222 


TESTORE  223 

although  he  grieves  at  certain  of  her  acts,  and 
prays  that  aught  amiss  in  her  teachings  may  be 
forgiven.  Then,  too,  he  suffers  much  at  the 
thought  of  the  Purgatory  which  awaits  those 
who  die  as  heretics,  and  he  pays  for  masses  to 
be  said  daily  for  such  souls  as  he  fears  abide  in 
this  place  of  torment.  I,  too,  attend  mass,  and 
confess  weekly,  giving  my  doles  for  charities  ; 
but  only  outwardly  I  thus  conform,  for  I  can- 
not believe  in  Purgatory,  since  those  who  guide 
us  unseen  will  lead  us  into  a  wider  world  than 
this  when  Death  greets  us,  where  we  may  be 
permitted  to  atone  for  our  sins,  and  our  punish- 
ment will  be  meted  out  in  justice,  and  mercy." 

Her  face  looked  troubled,  as  she  made 
answer,  "  I  cannot  think  as  ye,  and  I  hate  the 
pomp  and  vanities  of  Rome.  I  have  left  home, 
friends,  and  all,  since  1  could  not  think  as  they. 
Sebastian  and  I  never  talk  of  our  beliefs.  He 
adores  the  Cross,  wearing  it  on  his  person,  and 
this  to  me  is  blasphemous.  And  the  images  of 
the  Virgin,  and  the  Saints,  what  are  they  save 
idols  ?  " 

I  knew  not  what  to  say,  yet  presently  I 
replied,  "  I  know  not  whence  our  thoughts 
come,  yet  ever  my  mind  dwells  much  on  the 
Unseen  Ones  who,  I  believe,  are  never  far  from 
us. 


224  TESTORE 

"  I  am  a  passionate,  sinful  man,  and  good 
and  evil  spirits  have  met  in  combat  over  me,  and 
while  I  cling  somewhat  to  outer  forms,  my 
heart  tells  me  that  they  but  endure  for  a  time, 
and  are,  as  it  were,  but  stepping-stones,  to  help 
us  rise  to  better  things." 

Again  she  looked  at  me  doubtfully  ere  she 
replied,  "  Once  my  mother  saw  a  woman 
drowned  who  thought  somewhat  as  ye.  More- 
over, she  had  dared  to  call  a  priest  but  a  man, 
denying  his  power  to  forgive  sins.  And  she 
brought  back  from  the  gate  of  death  one  whom 
he  had  shriven,  therefore  they  said  that  she 
was  in  league  with  Satan,  and  she  was  thrown  as 
a  witch  into  the  village  pond." 

Soon  we  spoke  of  her  son,  a  student  in 
Florenza,  and  whom  she  was  now  on  her  way 
to  visit. 

Also  she  told  me  a  little  more  about  the  days 
of  her  girlhood.  The  man  whom  her  stepfather 
had  wished  her  to  wed  was  a  slave-owner,  and 
brutal  of  heart  and  word,  and  he  was  in  the 
power  of  this  beast.  Her  mother  was  dead, 
and  of  her  own  father  she  had  no  recollections. 

Once  he  who  wanted  her  as  wife,  took  her 
into  his  arms  and  kissed  her,  and  her  hatred  of 
him  became  utter  loathing. 

It  was  terrible  for  her  to  think  that  she  had 


TESTORE  225 

been  touched  by  one  whose  hands  were  red 
with  the  blood  of  his  fellow-men.  Moreover, 
she  had  heard  him  and  her  father  speak  of  such 
awful  deeds  that  they  had  performed  that  she 
oft  could  not  sleep  at  night. 

Then  spoke  she  to  me  of  her  great  love  for 
Sebastian,  and  how  she  suffered  at  the  thought 
that  since  they  differed  in  their  beliefs  concern- 
ing things  of  the  spirit,  they  must  be  parted 
in  the  hereafter,  asking  me  if  I  deemed  this 
likewise. 

"  I  cannot  say,"  I  answered  ;  "  but  our  Lord 
forgave  sinners,  even  His  very  murderers, 
therefore,  methinks,  He  will  not  judge  too 
hardly  our  weaknesses.  And  I  believe  that  He 
will  pardon  all,  even  the  vilest  of  us,  who 
approach  Him  with  true  repentance,  and  the 
desire  to  lead  a  pure  life." 

And  for  a  time  we  were  silent. 

At  last  she  said  sadly,  "  I  wish  I  could  think 
as  ye,  but  the  God  I  worship  is  a  God  of  Fear, 
Who  selects  and  rejects." 

She  asked  me,  too,  if  I  thought  that  Sebastian 
at  times  regretted  the  past;  to  which  I  made 
reply,  "  He  relies  on  God's  judgment,  and  he 
loves  you." 

Her  cheeks  flushed.  After  all  these  years, 
they  were  still  lovers.  A  pain  gripped  at  my 
Q 


226  TESTORE 

heart.  My  beautiful  lady  and  I  would  have 
been  likewise  such  throughout  our  life. 

Soon  after,  she  rose  to  go,  but  I  detained  her 
a  moment  to  ask  whether  her  son  knew  her 
story. 

"  He  believes  that  his  father  died  when  he 
was  a  child  too  young  to  remember  him. 
Sebastian  is  to  him  a  dear  friend  who  watches 
his  welfare." 

She  held  out  her  hand  in  farewell,  her  face 
illuminated  by  a  smile  that  bespoke  the  beauty 
of  her  soul. 

"  Friend,"  said  she  to  me,  "  I  am  dying,  and 
I  cannot  tell  Sebastian." 

Startled  at  these  words,  I  inquired  if  her 
physician  had  told  her  so.  Thereon  she  told 
me  that  she  dared  not  summon  one  to  see  her, 
since  he  would,  of  a  surety,  discover  that  the 
terrible  pain  which  she  so  oft  now  suffered 
were  but  the  results  of  the  tortures  she  had 
undergone  so  long  ago. 

And  she  shivered  at  the  recollections  thereof. 

"  But  Sebastian " 

She  checked  me,  saying,  "  He  knows  naught 
save  that  I  suffer  somewhat  at  times,  for  he  has 
never  seen  me  in  one  of  the  attacks  which  have 
now  become  very  frequent,  and  I  pray  that  I 
shall  pass  away  in  one  of  them." 


TESTORE  227 

u  But  those  who  tend  thee  ? " 

"  None  knows  of  them  save  me,  for  I  suffer 
alone  with  barred  door.  Nay,  grieve  not,  for, 
believe  me,  it  is  better  so.  One  day  I  shall  be 
found  dead,  and  my  son  will  have  received  a 
letter  explaining  much,  and  begging  him  to 
buy  the  doctor's  silence  if  he  can.  For  that 
I  have  saved  much  money." 

Again  she  held  out  her  hand.  I  bent  over 
it,  and  for  the  first  time  in  many  years  I  kissed 
a  lady's  hand,  but  only  in  pure  reverence. 

Her  end  came  even  as  she  wished,  though  it 
was  long  after  that  I  heard  of  it  through  her 
son. 

Sebastian  and  I  were  parted  for  ever,  I  knew 
not  even  his  abode  ;  yet  we  were  separated  only 
in  our  bodies,  for  our  friendship  remained,  since 
that  could  never  die. 


CHAPTER   XI 

THE  days  again  lengthened  into  weeks  ;  the 
weeks  grew  to  months,  until  they,  too,  were 
lost  in  years.  My  nephews  married,  and  I  was 
content,  for  I  yearned  to  live  alone  once  more. 
Their  wives  were  pretty  little  women,  though 
only  one  of  them  was  true  Milanese,  and  she, 
"  Barba  "  as  we  called  her,  was  my  favourite, 
for  she  sang  even  like  unto  a  bird,  and  danced 
as  only  Nature's  children  can.  She  well 
understood  my  moods,  and  I  never  shunned 
her. 

When  her  first-born,  a  big-eyed  babe,  was 
laid  in  my  arms,  I  kissed  him — I,  who  had 
kissed  no  child  save  Fanciullina  ;  and  oft  indeed 
his  solemn  eyes  and  head  of  curls  recalled  to 
me  la  mia  bimba. 

Barba  would  tease  me,  saying  she  was  jealous 
of  the  babe's  affection  for  me,  for  though  she 
was  his  mother,  and  a  devoted  one,  he  would 
ever  leave  her  arms  to  come  to  me.  But  in 
her  heart  she  did  not  mind,  and  when  a  second 
child  came,  she  was  glad  to  leave  him  much 
with  me. 

228 


TESTORE  229 

So  again  I  had  two  to  love,  two  to  cheer  the 
often  long  and  dreary  days,  "  my  child  of 
inspiration  "  and  the  black-eyed  bambino. 

Never  a  day  passed  but  I  saw  him,  and  when 
I  had  bidden  him  farewell  for  the  night,  I 
would  return  to  my  solitary  room,  with  only 
my  thoughts  for  company. 

Yet  my  work  was  good,  though  I  knew  that 
soon  the  tale  of  my  children,  for  such  I  called 
my  beloved  fiddles,  would  be  told,  and  the 
hour  must  come  when  "  my  child  of  inspira- 
tion "  would  go  forth  into  the  world  ;  but  I  put 
off  our  parting  as  long  as  I  could,  being  de- 
termined that  only  the  hand  of  a  true  musician 
should  take  it  from  mine.  I  would  not  have 
it  the  plaything  of  an  hour,  and  then  cast  aside 
and  forgotten. 

And  I  knew  not  which  I  loved  the  most, 
the  boy,  or  the  17^7. 

Often  the  child  would  sleep  on  the  bed  I 
made  for  him  on  my  widest  bench,  and  there 
he  would  lie,  and  solemnly  suck,  not  his  thumb, 
but  his  fist,  whilst  I  played  him  to  sleep.  As 
he  grew  older,  Bambino  knew  that  he  must 
never  harm  my  fiddles,  and  deep  within  his 
eyes  I  could  see  the  glimmerings  of  one  who 
loves  above  all  things  music ;  and  he  had 
humour  too.  Indeed,  he  was  a  child  after  my 


23o  TESTORE 

own  heart,  and  when  I  had  lulled  him  to  sleep, 
I  would  sit  and  ponder  over  the  wonders  of 
childhood.  If  the  good  God  spared  him,  and 
me,  I  would  stand  his  friend  and  protector. 

The  thought  came  to  me  to  commit  to  notes 
my  improvisations,  those  at  least  that  I  could 
remember,  for  so  often,  once  played,  they 
passed  away,  as  if  a  voice  for  that  one  mood 
alone. 

It  was  slow,  laborious  work,  and  when 
written,  it  appealed  not  to  me. 

Sheet  after  sheet  I  wrote,  and  sheet  after 
sheet  I  burnt,  for  as  soon  as  these  inspirations 
took  form  on  paper,  they  became  meaningless 
to  me,  therefore  I  gave  it  up. 


CHAPTER   XII 

I  HAD  not  wandered  abroad  with  my  gypsy 
friends  for  very  many  months,  and  when  spring 
came,  I  resolved  to  tear  myself  away  from  the 
boy,  and  join  them  for  awhile.  Methought 
the  long  days  in  the  open  would,  perchance, 
restore  to  me  some  of  my  old  impetuosity  and 
keen  activity.  My  nephews  tried  to  dissuade 
me,  but  when  I  insisted,  they  promised  to 
guard  my  treasures. 

Caspar  knew  that  I  was  coming,  and  we  had 
planned  to  meet  at  a  little  village  some  miles 
north  of  Milano.  We  were  to  journey  into 
strange  countries,  even  unto  Germany,  for  these 
gypsies,  rich  and  well  mounted,  were  the  un- 
suspected emissaries  of  Church  and  State.  The 
peasants  held  them  in  respect,  and  the  band 
had  flourished  under  Caspar,  whom  they  not 
only  obeyed,  but  loved. 

Gypsies    are    not    always    beggars,    though 

beggars   are    often    thus    misnamed.     Neither 

may  they  be  confounded  with  the  loiterer  of 

the    highways.     They   have    their   rules,  cere- 

231 


232  TESTORE 

monies,  and  order  of  rank,  and  probably 
possess  fewer  faults  than  a  king,  or  his  nobles 
who  help  him  govern  his  realm.  I  never  found 
this  tribe  guilty  of  those  petty  acts  of  meanness 
common  to  most  communities. 

That  their  hands  were  stainless,  I  could  not 
say;  but  they  were  my  friends,  and  their  roving 
life,  with  its  freedom  of  speech,  combined  with 
their  love  of  Nature,  attracted  me,  and  I  had 
missed  them  much. 

Likewise,  I  feared  that  the  time  was  nigh 
when  no  longer  I  could  roam  with  them. 

And,  though  I  knew  it  not,  this  was  to  be 
my  last  journey  with  my  friends  of  the  road 
and  the  wood. 

Long  before  the  hour  appointed  for  my 
setting  forth,  I  had  all  in  readiness,  and  had 
but  to  await  the  coming  of  the  gypsy  who 
was  to  bring  with  him  a  horse  for  me  to  ride. 
Naught  had  I  to  do  save  to  take  farewell  of 
"  my  child  of  inspiration."  And  as  I  gazed  on 
it,  the  thought  was  born  in  me  that  I  might 
not  leave  it,  lest  some  rude  hand  sought  to 
awaken  its  sounds. 

And  I  determined  that  it  should  journey 
with  me. 

Our  way  lay  through  Switzerland,  and  at 
first  that  country  much  oppressed  me  ;  but 


TESTORE  233 

after  a  time,  the  snow-crowned  mountains 
held  me  in  their  thrall.  We  seemed  such 
pigmies  to  these  huge,  silent  peaks,  whose 
rocky  sides  showed  so  many  marvels  of  shape 
and  colour. 

We  lodged  at  small  inns,  where  the  chambers 
in  which  we  lay  were  so  tiny  that  we  deemed 
lest  we  should  suffocate,  since  so  little  air  was 
within  them.  The  men  grumbled,  but  their 
chief  bade  them  look  forward  to  the  delights 
of  wandering  the  forest  tracks  by  day,  and 
sleeping  in  the  open  at  night. 

At  last  the  land  of  mountains  lay  well  behind 
us,  and  great  was  the  delight  of  all  when  we 
encamped  on  the  borders  of  a  great  wood. 

We  were  very  gay  that  evening.  The  men 
jested  and  laughed,  whilst  Caspar,  who  for 
many  days  had  been  quiet  and  thoughtful,  was 
his  old  debonair  self  once  more  ;  and  I  joined 
in  the  chatter,  seemingly  as  happy  as  any  one 
of  them. 

Not  far  from  us,  a  river  gurgled  in  its  bed. 
We  could  see  the  gleam  of  its  water  as  we  sat 
over  our  supper.  When  twilight  descended 
upon  us,  the  men  pleaded  for  music.  Now  I 
had  not  played  to  them  in  that  country  of 
snowclad  heights  lest  any,  hearing  my  1707, 
should  desire  to  buy  it.  Moreover,  I  feared 


234  TESTORE 

lest  it  might  be  stolen  ;  childish  fears,  but  many 
of  us  are  given  to  such,  despite  our  years. 

Without  in  the  warm  air,  with  only  my  tried 
companions  as  listeners,  and  enfolded  in  the 
gathering  dusk,  with  the  rising  moon  to  bathe 
us  in  her  rays,  I,  too,  was  keen  to  play. 

And  as  I  lifted  the  fiddle  from  its  resting- 
place,  1  knew  that  the  music  would  be  good 
that  night. 

Caspar  took  his  seat,  and  the  men  grouped 
themselves  around  him,  but  I  stood  a  little 
way  apart  ;  and  as  I  raised  the  1 707  to  my  chin, 
a  large  white  bird  flew  by.  So  close  had  it 
flown  to  me  that  its  wings  brushed  my  face, 
and  almost  1  dropped  the  fiddle.  Its  silent, 
sudden  appearance  startled  all,  and  a  cry  arose 
from  many  lips — 

"  An  omen  !     An  omen  !  " 

"  Hush  !  "  Caspar  spoke  softly.  "  Death 
flies  abroad,  and  beckons  one  of  us." 

One  of  the  group  arose,  and  came  towards 
me. 

"  Saw  you  it  ere  you  felt  the  touch  of  its 
wings  ?"  he  asked. 

I  shook  my  head,  and  with  voices  that 
betrayed  their  fear,  the  men  questioned  one 
another  as  to  whom  had  been  vouchsafed 
the  first  vision  of  the  bird. 


TESTORE  235 

Amid  the  babble  that  had  arisen,  none  of 
them  heeded  that  their  chief  spoke  not  ;  but 
I  noticed,  and  fathomed  the  meaning  thereof. 

The  wish  for  music  died  within  me.  I  laid 
the  1707  down,  but  Caspar  drew  nigh. 

"  Testore,  mio  bravo  amico,  I  beg  a  boon, 
the  last  I  shall,  perchance,  ever  crave  of  thee." 

"  I  give  it  thee,"  I  replied  quickly,  "  if  it  be 
within  my  power." 

"  Then  play  to  me,"  he  answered  ;  "  for 
Death,  whilst  listening  to  thy  strains,  may 
forget  his  errand  and  pass  on. 

Pale  was  his  face,  his  eyes  saw  beyond  earth. 
Then  he  turned  away,  and,  taking  a  seat  apart 
from  all,  he  hid  his  countenance  from  us. 

And  because  he  was  my  friend,  I  obeyed  his 
request. 

I  played  as  I  had  never  before  played  in  all 
my  life.  Surely  not  I,  but  another,  spoke  to 
the  gypsy  chief.  Melodies  came,  and  passed, 
to  be  followed  by  chords  of  wonderful  purity 
and  strength  of  tone.  A  triumphant  march 
was  but  a  prelude  to  a  night  of  pain  and  woe. 
Then  gentle  cadences  ushered  in  a  day  of 
renewed  hope,  and  a  joyous  song  told  us  that 
the  hours  thereof  had  been  passed  in  peace. 

I  paused,  but  not  for  long,  for  the  message 
was  not  ended.  A  dirge  bespoke  the  death  of 


236  TESTORE 

a  brave  man  whom  we  laid  to  rest  in  mother 
earth.  Bitterly  we  grieved  for  the  loss  of  a 
true  comrade,  but  the  finale  rang  out  in  a  great 
burst  of  joy  which  was  the  welcome  to  a  soul 
that  had  pierced  the  veil. 

I  would  that  I  could  have  retained  the 
wonders  of  this  song,  then,  perchance,  Testore, 
the  fiddle-maker  of  Milano,  might  have  lived 
in  the  memories  of  all  as  Testore  the  Musician  ; 
but  it  was  not  to  be,  for  once  played,  it  returned 
not  again  to  me. 

I  laid  the  1707  down,  and  went  to  Caspar, 
who  held  out  his  hand  to  me,  which  I  grasped 
firmly. 

"  Testore,  mio  amico  !  " 

Then,  without  another  word,  he  strode 
away. 

Little  thought  I  that  this  was  his  farewell  to 
me,  for  the  White  Bird,  Death's  Messenger, 
had  called  to  him,  and  none  may  refuse  to 
obey  that  summons. 

I  slept  long  that  night,  and  the  morning  was 
well  advanced  before  I  awoke  to  find  that  the 
camp  had  been  broken  up,  and  that  I  was 
alone.  My  horse,  ready  saddled  and  bridled, 
was  tethered  near,  and  certain  signs  on  a  piece 
of  parchment  told  me  where  to  join  them. 

A  bottle  of  wine  and  viands  had  been  left 


TESTORE  237 

for  me,  and  I  brake  my  fast;  no  foreshadowing 
of  the  coming  horrors  of  the  day  cast  its  gloom 
upon  me. 

The  long  hours  of  the  day  were  mine, 
therefore  I  rode  till  nigh  the  spot  where  I  was 
to  meet  my  friends,  then  dismounting,  I  fell 
to  playing. 

Somewhere  in  the  depths  of  the  wood  a 
horn  was  blown,  and  dogs  bayed  in  answer  to 
its  call.  Nearer  and  nearer  drew  these  sounds, 
till  presently  there  burst  upon  my  view  a 
hunter  of  goodly  proportions.  The  breaking 
of  brushwood  told  me  that  he  was  not  alone. 

"  Up,  fellow !  How  durst  thou  remain 
seated  when  I  ride  by  ? " 

He  flourished  his  whip,  but  I  moved  not. 

"  Knave  !  "  thundered  he,  "  knowest  thou 
not  that  I  am  the  lord  of  this  land  ? " 

In  reply  1  only  looked  him  in  the  face. 

Placing  the  horn  to  his  lips,  he  blew 
three  great  blasts  upon  it,  and  forthwith  his 
attendants  surrounded  him  ;  whereon  he  com- 
manded two  of  them  to  take  my  fiddle  from 
me,  and  after  smashing  it  to  fragments,  to 
scourge  me  to  the  point  of  death. 

Tightly  I  grasped  my  child.  Whilst  I 
lived,  none  should  harm  it,  and  as  the  men 
hesitated,  he  repeated  his  command  vindictively. 


23  8  TESTORE 

But  a  form  dashed  'twixt  me  and  those  who 
had  advanced  to  do  this  thing. 

And  the  tribal  call  for  help  rang  through  the 
wood. 

The  tyrant,  seeing  that  the  men  still  hung 
back,  threatened  them  angrily  ;  but  ere  any 
could  harm  me,  Caspar  had  struck  to  the  earth 
the  foremost  man.  A  hand  snatched  the  1707, 
and  I  joined  the  fray. 

Soon  three  of  the  assailants  lay  dead  on  the 
ground,  and  the  others  fled.  The  hunter,  who 
had  alighted  from  off  his  horse,  fought  on  foot 
with  Caspar,  whilst  we  watched  their  conflict 
silently. 

And  well  those  two  fought. 

Suddenly  they  both  paused,  and  gazed  at 
each  other  for  one  second  ;  then,  with  a  bitter 
cry  of  hatred,  the  lord  of  the  wood  lifted  high 
his  sword.  Too  late  sprang  I  forward,  for 
swiftly  it  descended,  cleaving  Caspar's  skull  in 
twain. 

Yet,  as  the  gypsy  chief  fell  heavily  forward, 
his  weapon  pierced  the  tyrant,  thrusting  him 
backwards  on  the  earth,  and  he  lay,  not  dead, 
but  dying. 

Stunned,  horrified,  we  watched  his  death 
agonies. 

On  Caspar  we  dare  not  gaze. 


TESTORE  239 

A  cloud  had  darkened  the  sky,  and  large 
drops  of  rain  fell,  and  these  aroused  us  to 
action. 

I  turned  to  my  friend. 

Ah,  White  Bird  !  Death  comes  to  us  in 
many  ways,  but  better  than  passing  to  that 
unknown  land  amid  warmth  and  luxuries,  it  is 
to  die  thus  bravely,  giving  thy  life  for  a  comrade. 

It  was  a  fearsome  sight,  the  staring,  open 
eyes,  in  which  still  lingered  a  look  of  pain  ; 
but  the  lips  were  parted  in  a  happy  smile. 

"  Men,"  cried  I,  "  the  blame  is  mine  !  Slay 
me  likewise,  for  I  have  caused  this  thing  !  " 

And  they  stirred  not  to  hurt  me,  but  they 
bade  me  be  comforted. 

"  'Twas  the  bird  of  omen,"  said  they  ;  "  his 
eyes  were  the  first  to  behold  it,  and  it  touched 
thy  face.  This  is  no  fault  of  thine,  therefore 
our  bond  of  friendship  holds." 

Again  I  cried  aloud  to  them  to  take  my 
life,  but  this  they  would  not  do  ;  instead,  they 
asked  me  to  say  the  wherefore  of  this  fray. 

With  lowered  head,  and  my  dead  friend  at 
my  feet,  I  told  them  of  that  which  had  chanced 
'twixt  the  hunter  and  myself. 

And  I  lifted  not  my  eyes,  for  my  cruel  pride 
had  wrought  this  ill. 

"Thou    wert    in    the    right,    O    Master," 


24o  TESTORE 

answered  they.  "  Is  it  not  written  in  our 
forest  laws  that  we  bow  not  the  head  to  those 
who  would  lord  it  over  us  ?  Thou  hast  but 
kept  faith  with  us.  Truly  thou  art  our 
comrade !  " 

But  I  would  not  be  comforted. 

Caspar's  work  was  done. 

And  we  must  hasten  from  the  spot,  lest  we 
be  taken  unawares. 

Hurriedly,  desperately,  we  toiled,  and  soon  a 
grave  awaited  the  slain  chief. 

And  ever  faster  and  faster  fell  the  rain. 

Reverently  we  buried  him,  folding  his  cloak 
around  him,  and  with  girded  sword  we  laid 
him  to  rest.  And  a  dagger  that  he  wore  in 
his  belt  I  took  for  my  own. 

We  spoke  not  as  we  piled  the  earth  above 
him,  whilst  the  trees  still  dripped  a  dirge.  At 
last  our  sad  task  was  done,  yet  we  stood  awhile 
ere  we,  saluting,  strode  away. 

And  still  the  rain  fell  piteously  and  fast. 

Mile  after  mile  we  rode,  scarce  uttering  a 
word,  and  not  till  we  encamped  did  one  of  the 
tribe,  silently,  place  my  child  upon  my  knee. 

Caspar  was  gone.  It  lived.  But  what  a 
price  had  been  paid  for  its  safety. 

That  night  there  was  no  music,  nor  for 
many  days. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

WE  had  camped  in  a  valley  amid  great 
mountains,  and  there  we  tarried,  for  man  and 
beast  were  wearied.  Beppo,  the  gypsy  who 
had  saved  my  1707  on  the  day  of  that  fateful 
fight,  had  ever  ridden  at  my  side,  and  though 
we  spoke  not  of  him,  our  thoughts  were  often 
of  the  dead. 

Now  we  sat  in  a  circle,  telling  stories,  and 
for  the  first  time  since  that  awful  hour  which 
none  might  forget,  they  prevailed  upon  me 
to  play. 

And  there  came  to  us  a  page  of  graceful 
form,  and  merry  mien. 

"  My  lord  sits  lonely  in  his  chamber,"  said 
he  to  me,  "  and  he  has  sent  me  for  thee  that 
thou  mayst  while  away  the  time  with  thy  sweet 
sounds." 

"  Where  dost  thy  lord  abide,  for  no  house  is 
nigh  this  spot  ?  " 

Merrily  laughed  the  boy,  pointing  upwards 
to  where  a  castle,  unperceived  by  us,  was  perched 
upon  a  giddy  height. 
R  241 


242  TESTORE 

ct  And  what  surety  canst  thou  give  me  for 
my  safe  return  ? "  asked  1,  for  this  might  be  a 
trap  set  warily  for  me. 

"  My  lord  is  old,  and  the  hours  of  the  day 
oft  drag  heavily,"  replied  the  page.  "  For  hours 
he  has  gloomily  sat  alone,  speaking  to  none  ;  but 
when  thy  music  floated  upwards  to  his  ears,  he 
sent  for  me,  bidding  me  fetch  the  musician 
straightway  to  him.  No  harm  shall  befall  thee. 
Moreover,  few  indeed  are  the  tidings  that 
reach  us  from  the  outer  world,  and  for  twice 
ten  years  my  lord  has  looked  on  the  face  of 
none  save  those  who  serve  him." 

In  astonishment  I  stared  at  the  youth. 

"  Twice  ten  years,"  I  muttered  ;  "  almost  a 
lifetime." 

"  Even  so,"  was  the  reply  ;  "  but  I  speak  the 
truth.  But  one  secret  entrance  there  be  now 
to  his  domain,  and  without  his  consent  none 
can  pass  in  or  out." 

"  But  dost  thou  not  weary  to  behold  the 
world  ? " 

Again  the  page  laughed,  saying,  "  Come,  for 
I  may  not  tarry,  since  my  lord  is  slow  of 
patience,  and  his  tongue  is  keen." 

I  glanced  at  Beppo,  if  only  he  might  accom- 
pany me,  but  when  I  gave  utterance  to  this 
wish,  the  page  shook  his  head. 


TESTORE  243 

"  I  dare  not  exceed  my  lord's  commands," 
said  he  ;  "  nor  wouldst  thou  that  I  should,  if 
thou  wert  acquainted  with  his  humours." 

So,  without  more  ado,  I  went  with  him. 
Beppo,  grasping  my  hand,  begged  in  gypsy 
patois  to  follow  me,  but  this  I  forbade. 

Through  brushwood  and  between  trees  we 
pushed  our  way,  until  we  came  to  an  open 
space  enclosed  by  the  shelving  sides  of  rugged 
hills. 

"  Choose,"  said  the  page,  "  whether  we  shall 
climb,  or  pass  through  the  rocks  to  win  within 
the  castle  ? " 

I  stared  around  me,  for  it  was  hidden  from 
my  sight.  Then  was  I  bidden  close  my  eyes 
for  the  second  time  in  my  life. 

I  obeyed,  and  even  as  one  pinioned  my  arms, 
another  drew  a  cloth  over  my  face,  and  yet  I 
had  seen  no  one.  I  might  have  feared,  but  the 
ringing  laugh  of  my  companion  told  me  all  was 
well,  for  none  laughs  from  sheer  merriment  if 
danger  lurks  ahead. 

That  we  had  entered  a  cave  I  felt  sure,  for 
the  air  was  chill  and  dank.  After  a  while  it 
became  less  foul,  and  soon  the  fresh  air  of  the 
open  fanned  my  cheeks. 

Those  who  had  led  me  on  either  side 
stopped,  and  I,  perforce,  too.  Removing  the 


244  TESTORE 

bandage  from  off  me,  I  saw  that  we  stood  at 
the  base  of  a  peak  round  which  tiny  huts  were 
built,  and  there,  perched  aloft,  was  the  castle, 
proud  and  lonely  sentinel  amidst  a  world  of 
rugged  Nature. 

Well  may  it  have  been  counted  as  the 
strongest  of  the  strong  in  the  grim  story  of 
feudal  days.  Let  him  who  will,  seek  it,  and 
marvel  at  its  mighty  ruins. 

Precipitous  was  the  path  that  led  up  to  it, 
and  one  that  could  only  be  found  easily  by 
those  who  had  trodden  it  oft. 

When  we  reached  its  terrace,  I  fain  would 
have  lingered,  but  the  page  hurried  me  on. 
We  passed  through  a  great  hall  with  tapestried 
walls,  on  which  hung  banners,  shields,  and  grim 
old  battle-axes,  whose  stains  were  not  due  to 
rust  alone.  Swords,  encased  in  sheaths,  shirts 
of  mail,  and  helmets,  whereon  were  many  a 
deep  dint,  attracted  my  eyes,  and  I  fain  would 
have  gazed  on  them,  but  again  I  was  hurried 
on  my  way.  We  climbed  a  great  stairway,  and 
beyond  it  we  came  to  a  room,  the  floor  of 
which  was  well  covered  with  skins  of  wild 
beasts,  and  here,  too,  the  walls  were  adorned  with 
weapons,  and  the  antlered  heads  of  lordly  stags. 

And  on  the  hearth  there  burnt  a  fire  of  logs. 
Before  it  lay  stretched  two  huge  boar-hounds. 


TESTORE  245 

One,  arising,  came  towards  me,  sniffing  the  air  ; 
then  he  withdrew  to  his  corner,  as  though 
satisfied  that  1  was  no  foe,  for  he  rested  his 
nose  on  his  fore-paws,  and  dozed. 

His  master  spoke. 

"  Since  Hubert  approves  of  thee,  thou  shalt 
meet  with  hospitality,  and  a  safe-conduct  back 
whence  thou  didst  come.  But  say,  how  comest 
thou,  a  wanderer  of  the  road,  with  such  music  ? 
How  hast  thou  learnt  to  play  so  well  that  thy 
notes  so  clearly  mounted  hither  ? " 

*'  None  has  taught  me,"  I  answered  curtly, 
looking  him  full  in  the  face. 

He  was  tall  of  stature,  though  now  bowed 
down  with  the  weight  of  years  and  grief,  which 
had  stricken  him  sorely  ;  but  his  countenance 
lacked  the  lines  of  cruelty,  and  strength  of 
will,  with  justice,  were  written  thereon. 

'*  Thou  dost  say  that  no  one  hast  taught  thee 
this  art  ? "  he  queried. 

And  I  made  answer  to  him  that  this  was 
indeed  the  truth. 

"  Then  from  whence  come  thy  melodies  and 
songs  ? " 

"  From  my  own  heart,"  replied  I  simply. 

"  Nay,"  said  he,  "  that  cannot  be,  for  thou  art 
but  a  creature  of  the  road,  albeit  thou  art  clean 
of  visage  and  raiment." 


246  TESTORE 

"  And  wherefore  not  ? "  retorted  I. 

"  Methought  that  all  of  thy  kind  were  foul, 
and  often  loathsome  to  behold." 

And  at  these  words  I  smiled,  telling  him 
that  those  who  love  beauty  cannot  endure  dirt 
and  filthy  rags. 

tf  So  be  it  !  Yet  never  in  all  my  travels  have 
I  met  one  such  as  thee,  though  beggars  in 
plenty  have  beseeched  my  alms  ;  but  naught  of 
the  world  have  I  seen  for  a  score  of  weary 
years,  methinks  that  it  must  have  changed." 

And  he  glanced  down  at  his  left  leg,  which 
was  twisted  and  deformed. 

So  much  pity  I  felt  for  this  afflicted  man 
that  I  fain  would  have  given  him  of  my  best  ; 
but  though  this  I  could  not  do,  my  music 
pleased  him  greatly,  and  he  ever  begged  for 
more.  Sleeping  memories  of  his  youth  were 
awakened  ;  his  face  softened,  his  eyes  lost 
their  keen  and  somewhat  hard  look,  and  a 
suspicious  moisture  gathered  in  them. 

"Enough,"  said  he  at  last,  fingering  a  ring 
which  he  wore  upon  a  finger  of  his  left 
hand. 

Then  he  shook  his  head,  muttering  dubiously, 
"  If  thou  wert  other  than  an  idle  wanderer " 

He  stayed  his  voice,  and  I  spoke  not. 

"  Methinks  a  trinkgeld  better  fitted  for  thee. 


TESTORE  247 

Hans  shall  conduct  thee  to  thy  comrades,  when 
thou  hast  eaten  and  drunk." 

Clapping  his  hands,  he  summoned  the  page, 
to  whom  he  gave  certain  orders  which  I 
comprehended  not,  since  they  were  spoken 
in  a  tongue  strange  to  me.  Hans  left  the 
room,  to  return  speedily  with  a  small  leathern 
bag  which  he  presented  to  his  master,  who, 
opening  it,  took  from  within  a  golden  coin, 
which  he  offered  to  me. 

And  I  accepted  it,  for  I  wished  to  play  the 
game  of  vagrant  to  the  end. 

But  I  thanked  him  coldly,  and  again  a 
doubtful  look  crept  into  his  eyes,  and  he  bid 
me  go,  adding,  "  Methinks  thou  art  not  that 
thou  dost  appear,  but  know  that  no  spy  has 
ever  met  with  mercy  at  my  hands." 

On  our  way  downwards  to  the  great  entrance 
hall,  I  was  allowed  to  loiter,  and  to  ask  many 
questions,  for  the  page  was  glad  to  hold  con- 
verse with  one  of  the  outer  world. 

When  I  had  partaken  of  a  bountiful  repast, 
the  steward,  who  had  spoken  much  with  me 
whilst  I  ate,  begged  for  music  ere  I  departed, 
and  1  had  no  wish  to  refuse  his  request  since, 
truly,  time  must  oft  hang  heavy  in  this  still 
castle  whose  stir  and  might  were  of  the  past. 

We  were  far  from  the  old  lord's  room,  and 


248  TESTORE 

the  way  hither  had  been  through  winding 
passages,  and  down  many  stairways.  Much 
had  I  learnt  from  the  steward  and  the  page  of 
the  bygone  greatness  of  this  place,  together  with 
the  legends  that  made  up  part  of  its  history. 

At  last  when  they  were  weary  of  talking, 
I  lifted  my  fiddle  and  bow. 

Now  none  sat  in  the  great  hall  with  me  save 
these  twain,  but  above  in  the  gallery  which 
surrounded  it  had  assembled  cooks,  grooms, 
servers,  and  all  who  formed  part  of  this  house- 
hold, for  word  had  been  passed  to  them  that  a 
musician  would  give  to  them  of  his  music. 

And  motionless  and  silent,  they  drank  in 
every  note. 

When  at  length  I  paused  to  rest  awhile,  I 
became  aware  that  another  had  joined  us,  for 
apart  from  the  steward  and  the  page  sat  one 
veiled  in  a  long  cloak. 

And  the  sight  of  that  form  awakened 
memories  of  long  ago. 

So  much  my  hand  shook  that  almost  I  let 
the  bow  fall  to  the  ground. 

The  steward  leant  towards  me,  asking  in 
broken  Italian  if  aught  was  amiss  with  me. 
Seeking  to  check  the  trembling  of  my  limbs, 
which  had  so  frightened  him,  1  inquired  if  the 
nun  had  dwelt  long  within  these  walls. 


TESTORE  249 

And  he  replied,  "  Since  my  lord's  affliction 
he  has  ever  had  one  to  attend  him,  and  to  while 
away  the  hours  of  the  day  with  song  or  story, 
for  he  loves  such  things." 

Faster  beat  my  heart. 

Suspicion  became  a  verity. 

Angelo  mio  ! 

And  all  these  years  had  passed  since  I  had 
seen  her  face  to  face.  Then  she  had  given  me 
words  of  hope  which,  alas,  had  never  been 
fulfilled. 

The  steward's  voice  still  fell  on  my  ear,  yet 
scarce  comprehended  I  that  he  said. 

"  My  lord  wearied  of  her  who  tended  to  him 
ere  this  one  came,  for  she  was  slow  of  speech, 
and  of  no  pleasant  humour.  In  sooth,  she 
would  read  naught  to  him  save  Latin  prayers, 
or  the  life  of  some  saint.  But,"  he  crossed 
himself,  "  she  who  sits  there  has  done  much  to 
lighten  his  pain  and  weariness,  for  it  is  hard  for 
one  who  has  so  often  ridden  to  the  wars  to  be 
thus  helpless.  Truly,  my  lord  thinks  there  is 
none  like  unto  her,  and  though  she  seldom 
smiles,  we  all  love  to  serve  her.  Moreover,  she 
is  of  high  birth,  but  has  surrendered  all  her 
riches  to  the  Church  to  atone  for  the  sins  of  her 
house." 

Pausing,  he  looked  on  me,  and  I  knew  that 


250  TESTORE 

he  expected  some  remark,  so  I  asked  him  if  he 
knew  her  country,  or  name. 

And  he  answered,  "  She  is  a  Florentine,  and 
a  Principessa  of  a  great  house  of  that  city." 

I  lifted  the  1707,  for  play  I  must  lest  passion 
overcome  me  ;  but  ere  I  drew  the  bow  across 
the  string,  my  eyes  sought  again  that  silent 
form.  The  chair  was  empty,  but  my  heart 
well  knew  that  she  had  but  withdrawn  from 
out  my  sight. 

And  that  vast  hall  resounded  with  a  wild  cry 
of  unfulfilled  love,  and  as  these  strains  died, 
lost  hope  and  utter  loneliness  took  the  place 
thereof.  Then  my  soul  fain  would  speak  to 
her. 

And  I  played  as  I  had  not  played  since  that 
night  when  the  White  Bird,  Death's  Messenger, 
had  summoned  Caspar,  for  now  my  music 
spoke  of  passion  conquered,  and  of  love 
supreme. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

WHEN  I  regained  my  comrades  I  said  but 
little  to  them  of  my  adventures  in  that  grim 
old  castle,  yet,  methinks,  Beppo  knew  that  my 
heart  had  been  rendered  heavy  by  some  sore 
remembrance,  though  he,  even  as  the  others, 
forbore  to  question  me. 

And  we  now  turned  our  faces  homewards, 
yet  it  was  long  ere  we  crossed  the  borderland 
of  our  own  land,  for  warily  and  by  devious 
roads  we  travelled,  but  we  met  with  no  other 
happenings  worthy  of  my  pen  to  record. 

Of  the  slain  Duke  we  never  heard  more, 
and  I,  at  least,  seldom  thought  of  him,  though 
on  Caspar  my  mind  often  dwelt  ;  and  when  the 
rain  fell,  I  would  think  of  that  lonely  grave 
within  the  forest  of  a  strange  land. 

Ever  those  for  whom  I  cared  were  taken 
from  me. 

The  boy  had  not  forgotten  me,  and  he  became 
my  only  friend  ;  he  alone  lightened  the  solitude 
of  my  life.     Many  spoke  of  me  as  one  mad, 
yet  I  heeded  not  their  words. 
251 


252  TESTORE 

Neither  was  I  unhappy,  and,  at  whiles,  flashes 
of  my  old  self  would  tell  me  that  I  was  still 
Testore,  the  fiddle-maker  of  Milano. 

And  that  which  remained  of  earthly  love 
within  me,  gave  I  to  my  fiddles  and  to  Bambino, 
who  never  feared  me,  even  in  my  moments  of 
deepest  gloom. 

His  hands,  though  still  small,  could  hold  a 
fiddle,  and  thereat  I  much  rejoiced.  Truly  he 
loved  me,  and  we  well  comprehended  each 
other. 

At  night  I  oft  would  remain  sleepless,  with 
the  memories  of  the  past  to  keep  me  company. 
Then  were  my  thoughts  mostly  of  my  beautiful 
lady. 

One  evening,  a  stranger  came  to  me  with  a 
sealed  letter  from  Sebastian. 

"  Testore,  thou  dost  know  much  of  my  life. 
May  God  forgive  me  if  I  now  do  wrong.  She 
who  loves  thee  is  dying,  and  craves  to  look 
on  thee. 

"  Long  and  tedious  will  be  the  journey  ere 
thou  canst  win  to  her,  yet  place  thy  trust  in 
him  who  brings  to  thee  this  missive.  He  will 
leave  thee  in  a  hut  hard  by  the  convent,  and 
thou  shalt  find  ready  for  thee  the  garb  that  will 
turn  thee  into  a  priest,  for  as  such  shalt  thou 


TESTORE  253 

be  admitted  to  her  cell.  A  ring,  hidden  amidst 
the  robes  that  thou  must  don,  will  be  thy 
passport  to  her  who  shall  come  to  fetch  thee 
hither. 

"  Hasten,  Testore,  my  friend,  for  Death  has 
set  his  mark  on  her,  and  God  grant  that  thou 
comest  in  time. 

"  And  pray,  too,  for  me,  lest  I  have  again 
offended." 

Angelo  mio  dying,  and  alone,  in  a  dreary  cell. 

I  forgot  the  long  years  that  had  passed  since 
we  last  had  clasped  hands,  methought  but  of 
her  as  she  was  on  that  day  when  she  had  given 
to  me  of  her  kisses,  whispering  low,  timid 
words  of  love. 

Angelo  mio ! 

My  heart  cried  out  in  bitter  pain,  though  my 
tongue  was  mute. 

Always  my  dear  ones  had  died  ere  I  could 
reach  them,  and  at  this  thought  a  thick  mist 
formed  around  me.  Staggering,  I  must  have 
fallen  save  that  one  caught  at  me  and  held 
me. 

"  Signore,"  said  the  messenger,  "  I  fear  for 
thee  lest  thou  canst  not  endure  the  hardships 
of  the  road." 

Immediately  my  strength  of  will  returned. 


254  TESTORE 

I  would,  I  could,  dare  all  to  see  my  beautiful 
lady  ;  but  what  if  Death  arrived  the  first  ? 

Muttering  a  few  words  of  thanks  to  him  for 
his  care,  I  said  that  I  was  ready  to  ride  that 
very  minute  ;  but  to  this  he  replied  that  not 
till  the  morrow  should  we  set  forth,  for  his 
steed  must  have  a  night's  rest. 

And  thus  it  had  to  be. 

The  early  morning  saw  us  galloping  on  the 
highway  without  the  city,  and  Fear  rode  at  my 
side. 

My  beautiful  lady  awaited  me.  Would  I, 
or  Death,  win  the  race  ?  My  eyes  strained 
ahead,  I  bit  my  lips  till  blood  oozed  forth  ; 
and  still  I  spurred  onwards  the  beast,  whilst 
the  thud  of  his  hoofs  on  the  hard  ground 
seemed  to  say  in  my  ears,  "  Dying  !  dying  !  " 

And  I  would  have  ridden  thus  till  my  steed 
had  dropped,  had  not  the  messenger  prevailed 
upon  me,  warning  me  that  if  I  overrode  the 
beast,  then  naught  save  a  long  rest  would  revive 
him,  and  we  were  in  a  neighbourhood  where 
good  mounts  were  scarce. 

So,  perforce,  I  heeded  his  words,  but  ever  the 
same  refrain  rang  in  my  ears,  "  Dying  !  dying  !  " 

For  many  days  we  rode,  and  each  night  we 
lodged  at  a  wayside  inn. 

Whether  my  companion  deemed  me  mad  I 


TESTORE  255 

know  not,  or,  perchance,  he  fathomed  that  it 
was  grim  fear  that  made  me  silent  and  morose, 
for  I  scarcely  spoke,  or  ate,  or  slept. 

Yet  the  distance  lessened. 

At  length  we  stood  without  that  lone  hut. 

And  none  came  forth  to  greet  us,  or  to  bar 
the  way. 

And  here  my  companion  left  me,  after  bid- 
ding me  be  ready  within  the  hour  for  her  who 
should  come  for  me. 

And  I  donned  the  garb  of  a  priest  which  had 
been  placed  for  me  within  a  small  inner  room. 

And  if  the  ride  hither  had  seemed  an  endless 
age,  this  one  hour  that  remained  ere  I  knew 
whether  my  beautiful  lady  still  lived  was  an 
eternity.  I  battled  with  my  fears,  subduing 
them  to  an  outwardly  calm  demeanour,  though 
within  me  turmoil  raged. 

Seated  on  a  chair,  with  open  breviary  before 
me,  I  awaited  the  coming  of  the  holy  woman. 

Footsteps  sounded  on  the  pathway  without 
the  cottage.  A  dismal  cough  made  me  lift  my 
eyes  from  the  page  upon  which  I  appeared  to 
be  so  intent.  And  an  aged  nun  stood  before 
me.  She  gazed  upon  the  ring  which  I  had 
placed  upon  a  finger.  Removing  it,  I  held  it 
out  that  she  might  the  better  see  it.  Imme- 
diately she  returned  it  to  me,  for  she  was 


256  TESTORE 

satisfied  that  1  was  the  father  confessor  for 
whom  she  had  been  sent,*that  he  might  accom- 
pany her  to  shrive  the  dying. 

And  I  wondered  at  her  age  and  weariness. 
Why  was  she  not  on  her  sick  bed,  dying  ? 

Methinks  she  suspicioned  my  thoughts,  for 
a  glimmer  of  comprehension  came  into  her 
calm  eyes  ;  yet  she  uttered  not  a  word,  only  by 
a  gesture  she  signified  that  I  was  to  follow  her. 

With  downcast  head  and  folded  hands  she 
went  before  me,  and  I  chafed  at  her  slow, 
measured  tread,  howbeit,  I  dare  not  quicken 
my  pace. 

My  heart  cried  out  at  each  step  I  took, 
"  Angelo  mio  !  " 

Thus  we  came  at  length  to  a  lone  wood, 
overtopped  by  high  hills,  and  amidst  its  dense 
growth  of  trees  we  wended  our  way,  our  slow 
progress  becoming  a  crawl. 

And  my  beautiful  lady  awaited  my  coming. 

Surely  years  were  being  heaped  unto  my  tale 
of  them,  and  I  was  as  old  as  the  nun  before 
me,  who,  methought,  had  forgotten  all  she 
might  once  have  known  of  life,  or  love,  else 
she  had  tarried  not  lest  Death  even  now  did 
win  the  race. 

At  length  we  stood  before  the  convent. 

Dear  God  !     At  last !  at  last ! 


TESTORE  257 

And  we  passed  through  its  gateway. 

Almost  I  cried  aloud,  horror-stricken,  at  the 
sight  which  met  my  eyes,  for  rows  of  empty 
graves  confronted  me.  Dumbly  I  wondered, 
as  1  gazed  on  these  yawning  mouths  of  black, 
drear  earth,  if  all  the  inmates  of  the  convent 
were  dying  of  some  fell  disease. 

But  the  face  of  the  aged  nun  was  as  calm  as 
ever. 

We  paced  gloomy  corridors,  past  silent  cells, 
where  many  a  pure-souled  woman  on  bended 
knees  prayed  for  forgiveness. 

And  yet,  methinks,  these  knew  not  sin. 

Without  one  of  these  we  stopped,  and  my 
guide  drew  forth  a  key,  whilst  her  tongue 
remembered  the  way  to  speak. 

"  Sister  Marie  is  dying,  and  Rome  has  per- 
mitted that  thou  dost  shrive  her.  Anon  I  come 
to  thee." 

Boldly  I  replied,  "  Much  has  thy  sister  to 
confess  ;  therefore,  since  we  would  that  her 
soul  sped  speedily  to  its  Maker,  I  shall  tarry 
some  while." 

Curious  indeed  was  the  glance  that  she  gave 
me.  Again  that  glimmer  of  comprehension 
shone  in  her  eyes.  Naught  answered  she,  but 
gliding  away,  left  me  to  enter  the  cell  alone. 

My  God  !     Dost  thou  delight  that  one  who 


258  TESTORE 

has  done  no  wrong,  save  it  be  a  sin  to  love, 
wears  out  the  life  that  comes  whence  we  know 
not,  in  bitter  misery  ! 

Cold,  with  damp  oozing  from  floor  and  wall, 
with  but  a  slit  of  a  window  to  admit  of  air  or 
light,  containing  naught  save  a  straw  pallet,  was 
the  cell  in  which  my  beautiful  lady  had  sought 
to  work  out  her  own  redemption. 

And  there,  on  that  pallet,  she  lay. 

My  soul  cried  [  out  in  bitterness  of  grief,  but 
the  cry  was  checked  ere  it  was  uttered  aloud  as 
I,  gazing  on  her  face,  read  thereon  the  suffer- 
ings she  had  borne. 

So  still  was  she  that  I  feared  that  Death  had 
won  the  race.  I  knelt  beside  her. 

"Angelo  mio  !" 

She  knew  my  voice,  for  with  slowly  opening 
eyes,  whose  light  was  of  the  life  to  come,  she 
turned  to  me  that  I  might  hold  her  in  my  arms. 

"  Carlo  mio  !  " 

Scarce  heard  I  the  words,  so  weak  and  faint 
was  her  voice. 

"  My  sins  are  many,  and  this,  I  fear,  the 
greatest  of  them  all." 

"  Angelo  mio  !  "  I  bent  to  her  dear  face  that 
she  might  hear.  "  All  these  years  God  has  taken 
of  thy  prayers,  and  He  has  sent  me  to  thee." 

Death's  shadows  deepened  in  her  eyes. 


TESTORE  259 

What  could  I  say  ? 

The  tolling  of  a  bell  which  grated  on  my  ears 
only  recalled  to  her  some  remembrance,  for  she 
sought  to  rise,  but  I  bid  her  rest. 

Her  lips  moved,  she  gazed  upon  the  crucifix 
which  hung  beside  her  bed. 

For  one  little  minute  the  almost  spent  life 
within  her  flashed  forth  anew.  Folding  her 
hands,  as  though  she  prayed,  she  turned  to 
me  with  a  glorious  look  of  peace  upon  her 
countenance. 

"  Carlo  mio,  the  Christ  forgives.  See,  how 
he  smiles  on  me." 

She  sank  back  exhausted  in  my  arms. 

And  surely  Love,  and  Forgiveness,  were 
depicted  on  the  sculptured  face  of  the  Saviour, 
or  was  it  but  the  reflection  from  a  ray  of  light 
that,  piercing  the  narrow  window,  fell  athwart 
the  crucifix  ? 

I  know  not. 

Passion's  chains  were  loosed  from  off  me. 

The  bell  still  tolled. 

She  lifted  her  eyes  to  mine. 

"  Carlo  mio,  forgive 

The  lids  dropped. 

The  bell  had  ceased,  and  without  in  the 
corridor  I  heard  voices  chanting.  I  laid  the 
lifeless  form  down,  crossing  the  hands  which 


260  TESTORE 

were  so  soon  to  be  hidden  in  the  grave  which 
they  had  dug. 

"  De  profundis  clamavi  ad  te  Domine : 
Domine,  exaudi  vocem  meam." 

Surely  they  sang  it  for  me,  not  for  her 
who  lay  there  white  and  still. 

The  voices  ceased. 

Then  again  the  De  Profundis  rang  out 
clearly,  and,  sin-stained  man  of  passion  that 
I  was,  my  heart  sought  to  echo  that  cry  for 
mercy. 

Not  yet  was  the  time  for  me  to  cry  aloud 
in  agony  of  soul.  For  the  sake  of  my 
beautiful  lady  I  must  remain  the  priest. 

And,  when  the  nun  at  last  returned,  she 
found  me  kneeling  beside  the  dead. 

Did  she  suspicion  that  I  had  been  gazing 
my  last  on  a  beloved  face  ? 

With  slow  and  steady  steps  I  left  the  cell. 
Without,  one  delayed  me,  for  a  holy  woman 
knelt  before  me,  soliciting  a  blessing.  I 
placed  my  hand  upon  her  head,  then  passed 
out  amidst  those  dreary  graves.  Scarce  could  I 
restrain  my  agony  of  heart  and  soul,  but 
solitude  might  ease  me,  and  into  the  depths 
of  the  wood  I  plunged,  shunning  all  paths. 

A  wild  waste  of  heath  and  shrub  obstructed 
my  steps.  I  stumbled,  fell,  and  Jay  prone. 


CHAPTER   XV 

My  life-story  draws  to  its  close. 

When  I  crept  back  to  my  corner  after  that 
fateful  journey,  I  was  feeble,  and  my  hair 
was  white.  I  worked  at  times,  but  fitfully, 
sometimes  not  stirring  from  my  bench  for 
hours,  and  then  for  days  I  did  naught  save 
sit  and  dream  of  the  past. 

And  the  years  passed  slowly,  and  had  it 
not  been  for  my  fiddles,  methinks  I  might 
have  become  insane.  And  when  frequent 
long  fits  of  melancholy  fell  upon  me,  I  would 
not  even  see  the  boy,  yet  there  were  times 
when  he  greatly  comforted  me. 

And  the  day  came  for  me  to  bid  farewell 
to  "  my  child  of  inspiration." 

1  shed  no  tears  as,  with  trembling  hands, 
I  gave  it  into  the  care  of  one  who,  even  as 
its  maker,  would  cherish  it.  And  when  he 
bore  it  away,  I  fretted  but  little,  for  my 
thoughts  dwelt  so  often  on  that  dreary  convent 
garden  with  its  gloomy  trees,  and  rows  of 
gaping  mouths  of  hungry  earth  waiting  for 
their  dead. 

261 


262  TESTORE 

The  boy,  as  he  reached  the  years  of  man- 
hood, made  friends.  His  work  was  very 
good,  and  promised  to  excel  mine.  Music 
came  easily  to  him,  and  when  my  pain  was 
at  its  worst,  his  melodies  would  soothe  me  ; 
for  more  and  more  I  suffered  from  the  effects 
of  the  illness  which  had  overtaken  me  when 
I  had  fallen  sorrow-laden  to  the  earth.  Stupi- 
fied  by  grief,  I  had  lain  there  till  the  early 
morn,  and  then  I  lingered  in  that  wood  till 
the  tolling  of  a  bell  announced  to  me  that 
my  beautiful  lady  was  about  to  be  laid  in 
her  last  resting-place. 

Hidden  by  the  thick  shrubs  that  grew  close 
to  the  walls,  with  throbbing  head,  and  bruised 
and  bleeding  hands,  I  watched  the  sombre 
procession  of  nuns  emerge  from  the  convent 
door  ;  and  when  they  who  bore  the  form  of 
my  beloved  one  reached  her  grave,  1  saw 
them  start,  for  it  was  carpeted  with  sweet 
moss  and  flowers. 

Fever  fell  on  me  that  night,  and  it  was 
long  ere  I  arose  from  my  sick  couch. 

What  more  can  1  say  ? 

All  I  have  loved  have  left  me,  save  the  boy. 

The  fierce  fire  of  earthly  love  and  passion 
is  deadened  within  me,  and  alone  I  sit  amid 
the  cinders  of  the  past.  None  of  the  old 
wild  impulses  stir  my  heart  to  reckless  doings. 


TESTORE  263 

1  glance  oft  at  my  hands,  knowing  full  well 
that  never  again  will  they  shape  a  fiddle,  or 
rub  thereon  a  varnish. 

My  tools  are  for  the  boy. 

Of  my  family  of  children,  all  are  gone, 
save  one,  and  her  fiddle  that  I  have  cherished 
all  these  years. 

I  cannot  say  farewell  to  it.  I  cannot  bear 
to  think  that  other  hands  may  hold  that  which 
hers  have  held  ;  yet  it  may  be  that  strength 
will  be  given  me  to  let  a  stranger  take  it, 
or  shall  I  have  it  laid,  when  I  am  gone,  within 
the  ground  beneath  the  tree  under  whose 
branches  my  beautiful  lady  and  I  first  met  ? 

It  hangs  before  me  on  the  wall,  and  for 
hours  I  watch  the  shadows  play  on  it. 

The  vagaries  of  a  weary  brain  lie  heavy  on 
me.  The  selfishness  of  earthly  love  still 
clings  somewhat  to  my  feeble  frame. 


FINALE 

TESTORE,  the  fiddle-maker  of  Milano,  the 
erstwhile  reckless  profligate,  the  loving  father, 
and  the  passionate  lover,  is  dying. 

He  is  alone,  for  this  is  his  will ;  but, 
although  he  knows  it  not,  the  boy  [[and  his 
faithful  servant  stand  close  by,  for  only  a 
curtain  hides  them  from  his  sight. 


264  TESTORE 

And  raising  a  corner  thereof,  they  look  on 
him  as  he  lies  so  still,  with  closed  eyes,  and 
fingers  interlaced.  They  venture  to  his  side. 
He  looks  on  them,  and  pain  is  in  that  look, 
for  Death  tarries,  and  the  dying  fain  would  pass. 

Now  shines  his  countenance  with  joy. 

"  Angelo  mio  !      I  come  !  " 

"  His  mind  wanders,"  whispers  the  boy  to 
the  old  dame. 

Feebly  the  thin  and  tired  fingers  pluck  at 
the  bed-covering,  and  with  fast-falling  tears 
his  servant  takes  his  hands  within  her  own. 

"  Fanciullina  !  " 

A  smile  illuminates  his  face,  his  eyes  express 
the  happiness  of  one  who  looks  upon  a  beloved 
friend. 

Now  droop  their  lids. 

They  kneel,  for  Death,  who  has  robbed  him 
of  his  all,  has  come  at  last,  and  only  the  frail 
shell  of  Carlo  Giuseppe  Testore,  fiddle-maker 
of  Milano,  remains  on  that  couch. 

Reverently  they  prepare  it  for  the  tomb, 
and  around  the  neck  they  find  a  crucifix  and 
chain,  and  much  they  wonder  thereon. 

THE    END 


PRINTED  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN  BY  RICHARD  CLAY  &  SONS,  LIMITED, 
BRUNSWICK  ST.,  STAMFORD  ST.,  S.E.,  AND  BUNGAY,  SUFFOLK. 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

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LOS  ANGELES,  CALIFORNIA  90095-1388 

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E1VED 


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